Top Ten Signs a Website is Not Legit, It’s a Scam! (2026)
If ten signs website not is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
- Every day millions of people get sucked into Internet scams and tricks that end up costing them dearly, something I was reminded of when I g...
- That’s a great question, the answer for which I found in my colleague Doug Alton’s Household Newsletter.
- Top Ten Signs the Site is Not Legit Sign #1: Video with no controls If it plays a video that has the controls removed, it’s a scam, stop wat...
Every day millions of people get sucked into Internet scams and tricks that end up costing them dearly, something I was reminded of when I got a letter from a reader asking this simple question: How can I tell if something on the Internet is legit or some kind of scam?
That’s a excellent question, the answer for which I found in my colleague Doug Alton’s Household Newsletter.
Top Ten Signs the Site is Not LegitSign #1: Video with no controls
If it plays a video that has the controls removed, it’s a scam, stop watching! You can’t fast forward, pause, or even tell how long the video is. That’s because they are only going to tell you a long list of reasons why you should send them money. Stop watching, X out of the page. They will never tell you the information that you clicked on the link to get, not even if you send them money. It’s a scam, run the other way.
Sign #2: Can’t leave
You want to leave the page but keep hitting up against something like, “Are you sure you want to leave this page?” or an alternative offer designed to pique your interest and compel you to stay. Legitimate sites don’t do this, but nearly all scam sites do. Run the other way.
Exception: If you are working on a document or have a shopping cart open, you may get this kind of “Are you sure …” message if you have not saved your changes.
Sign #3: Free updates
Pop-ups that try to get you to sign up for their propaganda or “free updates” before you even get a chance to read the article. Bad sign. Major red flag!
Sign #4: Text is an image
The text is actually photographed onto the page as an image. You can’t copy and paste names or numbers because the text is really part of a photo instead of real text. Numerous scam sites and numerous scams on craigslist do this. When you notice this, run the other way. The only reason they would do this is to prevent you from copying the text, and to prevent computer robots from reading it. They are hiding something.
Sign #5: Weird trick
If you see the words “weird” or “trick” and especially if you see the words “weird trick” it’s a scam. Don’t fall for it.
Sign #6: Free energy
Anything that promotes free energy, is a scam. Solar panels are not free (neither is the power to charge an electric car). The energy still costs you money. But there are numerous people who wish to believe in some hidden form of free energy. They’re all scams!
Sign #7: Can’t X out
If you try to X out to close the page and another page pops up you may have a virus. Either way, shut down the site and restart your computer. Run an antivirus scan immediately.
Sign #8: Work at home
Most “work at home jobs” are a scam. Research before you go that route.
Sign #9: Risk-free trial
Risk-free trials are NOT risk-free if you have to give a credit card or bank account number to get the free trial. They will automatically bill you if you don’t spend weeks trying to cancel. It happens every day.
Sign #10: Miracle cures
Anything that claims to treat or cure a disease that modern medicine does not, it’s a scam.
Cyberspace is a excellent big mostly wonderful place but it is not immune to crime and hustlers wishing to do us harm. It’s key to be wary of the numerous dangers lurking within. You can protect yourself if you are diligent to learn these ten signs and then put them into practice.
Stay safe out there.
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Before you check out, double-check ten signs website not against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.
Originally published at everydaycheapskate.com.
Mary Hunt
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