What the link checker looks at
- The real website name. In
paypal.com.account-check.topthe real site is account-check.top, not PayPal. We pull out the part that matters and show it to you. - Look-alike brands. Scammers register names like
amaz0n-refunds.comorroyalmail-redelivery.info. We compare the address with the real domains of well-known brands, banks and agencies. - How new the site is. Many scam sites are only days old. When the registry data is available we show the registration date.
- Where the link really goes. Short links and tracking links can hide the destination. We follow redirects on our server, not on your phone.
- Risky patterns. Unusual endings such as .top or .xyz, raw IP addresses, words like "verify", "refund" or "unlock", and addresses built to look like a login page.
How to read a link yourself in 10 seconds
- Find the first single slash after
https://. Ignore everything after it. - Look at the last two parts before that slash, for example bank.com or bank.co.uk. That is the real website.
- Ask: is that exactly the company's real address? Extra words, hyphens, numbers or a different ending mean it isn't.
- If you can't tell, don't tap. Open the company's app or type its address yourself.
A padlock doesn't mean safe
The padlock only means the connection is encrypted. Scam sites get padlocks for free in minutes. It tells you nothing about who runs the site.
Signs a link is dangerous
- It arrived in a message you didn't expect, with a deadline or a small fee.
- It asks you to log in, "verify" your account or enter card details.
- The website name is close to a real brand but not quite right.
- It's a short link (bit.ly, tinyurl and similar) from someone you don't know.
- It downloads a file or asks you to install an app or allow notifications.
Already opened it?
Opening a scam page is usually not a disaster on its own. The danger is what you type in. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank using the number on your card. See the full plan.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to paste a suspicious link here?
Yes. We never open the link in your browser. Our server looks up the address and follows redirects without running anything on your device, and we don't store the links you check.
Can a link hurt me if I only open it?
Usually the risk comes from what you do next: typing a password, card number or code, or installing something. Very rarely, a page can try to exploit an out-of-date browser, so keep your phone and browser updated.
Does a padlock or https mean a website is safe?
No. It only means the connection is encrypted. Most scam websites use https too.
How do I check a shortened link?
Paste it here. We follow the short link to its final address and check that address, so you don't have to open it.
The result says low risk. Is the link safe?
Not necessarily. Low risk means we didn't find common warning signs. New scam sites appear every day, so if a page asks for money, codes or personal details, go to the company's website or app yourself instead.