How to spot fake government websites and paid look-alike services

Check the domain, the fee and the contact details to tell official government sites from look-alike pages that charge for free services.

Search ads and social posts often lead to sites that look official but are not.

Quick checks

Domain. Look at the address bar. Official examples: .gov (United States), .gov.uk (United Kingdom), .gob.mx (Mexico). A hyphen-filled or unusual domain is a warning.
Fees. Many government applications and information pages are free. A site charging a “processing” fee may be a middleman.
Ads. Search ads can lead to look-alikes. Scroll to the official result or type the address yourself.
Contact details. Real agencies list an address and phone number you can verify.
Pressure. Urgent countdown timers or threats are tactics.
HTTPS is not proof. The padlock means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is honest.

Bookmark official sites you use.
Never enter ID numbers or bank details on a page you reached through a text or social post.
If an app tells you to go to a site, search for the agency’s own site instead.

Contact your bank at once, save screenshots and receipts and report it. See our guides: checking benefits information and stimulus payment scams.

How do I know a site is official?

Check the domain ending used by your government, such as .gov, .gov.uk or .gob.mx, and type it yourself instead of clicking an ad.

Are all paid third-party sites scams?

Not all, but many charge for services that are free or cheaper on the official site. Compare before paying.

What should I do if I paid a look-alike site?

Contact your bank or card provider, gather evidence and report it to the consumer or fraud authority in your country.