Being a snitch rarely feels as good as it does when you know you're totally doing the right thing. Luckily, we're no longer in school, so no one's gonna come back at you for reporting cheaters to the teacher. Want to know how to report a website for scamming to Google? Easy, we'll show you how.

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What's a Scamming Website and How to Recognize It

You're probably aware of phishing emails, malware links, and all sorts of online scams that could land in your inbox, but did you know that there are entire websites built with the goal of scamming? This is a part of something that's called search engine phishing. Scammers create websites and then pay their promotion to end up at the top of Google's first page.

Despite numerous filters and algorithms used by Google, some harmful content always ends up online. Fake websites are set up with the goal of stealing personal information and money, either through selling non-existing products or malicious attacks. According to Statista, the number of unique phishing sites in Q1 of 2024 is over 963 thousand, which, although a decrease from the record-breaking numbers in 2023, is still a significant number of online traps out there.
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Signs of a Fake Website

Cybercriminals won't paint a flag red for you and make it easy. A lot of times, they'll go as far as setting up social media profiles and emails and using legitimate SEO strategies to make everything look as real and trustworthy as possible. However, those who keep their eyes open could spot a few red flags that could save them from making a big mistake.

• Misspelled URL - When impersonating other brands and organizations, cybercriminals will make minor changes in spelling, replace the letter O with a zero, or use a different domain extension (.org instead of .com).
• Poor content - Many times, phishing sites have low-quality graphics and images, which is not expected from a reputable brand. You might notice broken English, no Contact Us page, and an overall impression that the site needs to be polished.
• Generic reviews - Not all reviews can be considered reliable indicators of quality, especially when they all have an overly positive tone and seem generic rather than sincere.
• Too low prices - Websites offering products from well-known brands at suspiciously low prices are very likely scams designed to trick naive buyers.
• Direct bank payments only - If a website does not offer trustworthy payment options such as PayPal or credit cards and insists only on bank transfers, it suggests potential scam activity.

If you're still unsure, the most reliable method to verify a website's legitimacy is to utilize an online website checker and perform a comprehensive audit.
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Most Common Types of Scamming Websites

Although cybercriminals can be very creative with fake sites, they tend to stick to the proven types that have the biggest success rate, those being:

• Fake shopping websites,
• Fake contest sites,
• Cryptocurrency scams,
• Charity scams.
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Here's How to Report a Website for Scamming to Google

If you've figured out that a website is a phishing scam, you have the full right to report it to Google, and the process is as simple as it can be. All you have to do is copy its URL and paste it into this form: https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/?hl=enThere's also an option to leave a note so you can briefly describe the case but it's not mandatory to do that. Screenshots are not required, and it's all completely anonymous, so you don't have to leave any contact or personal information.
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How to Report a Website That's Impersonating Your Own

If you run a business and have an online presentation in the form of a website, it could easily become a target for cybercriminals who would try to impersonate it by creating a duplicate. If you manage to detect such a website, you need to report it to Google for copyright infringement and as a content policy violation.Depending on the case, Google can demote or remove the fake website, but it won't and can't resolve any legal complaints. To report copyright infringement, you need to go to the Google support page, select the option that suits your situation, and follow the steps.
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Additional Reporting Options

Besides reporting fraudulent websites to Google, there are several other options available to ensure these fraudulent websites are dealt with effectively. You can report them to:

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - This is a platform where you can report all sorts of online scams, from phishing emails to websites. https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
• The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - To file a complaint through IC3 providing information about the victim, scammer, and whether or not a financial transaction has occurred. https://www.ic3.gov/
• Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) - Offers free analysis of suspicious emails, simply forward the email in question to reportphishing@apwg.org.
• US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Offers options to report different types of incidents and provides up-to-date information and educational tips on phishing. https://www.cisa.gov/report

Taking a fake website down might take some time, and there is also no guarantee that cybercriminals won't try the exact same trick again. That's why spreading the word about it on online forums and leaving reviews is a good way to raise awareness and prevent future fraud.
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Why Report Phishing Websites?

Although the internet will never be a completely safe place, improved safety is something we should strive for, and taking time to report all online scams is one of the first steps towards it. By reporting phishing websites, you help prevent others from falling victim to scams. This can save people from financial loss, identity theft, and many other forms of harm, not to mention that it helps Google enhance its security filters and systems, which is significant for early detection and better prevention in the future.Browse our blog section for more articles on cybersecurity and Cybernut

Sources

https://www.phishing.org/how-to-report-phishinghttps://www.statista.com/statistics/266155/number-of-phishing-domain-names-worldwide/https://www.redpoints.com/blog/how-to-identify-fake-websites/https://www.redpoints.com/blog/how-to-report-a-site-on-google/