How to Spot and Avoid Fake Apps & Websites

How Does a Fake App & Website Work

Fake apps and websites can be categorised into 3 types: imposters, potentially harmful apps, and inappropriate content.

Out of these, imposter apps mimic legitimate apps in appearance and functionality. It tricks the users into believing that they are legitimate by providing the exact same-looking interface. Similarly, fake websites often replicate the design and domain names of legitimate sites with slight alterations, luring users into entering sensitive information.

When users perform transactions through these fake apps or websites, believing them to be authentic, the malware or phishing tactics employed can result in their bank accounts being drained or personal data being compromised.

Potentially harmful apps and websites, such as fake calorie trackers or phishing sites, grant unnecessary permissions, infect your device with malware, or steal data.

Ways to Identify Fake Apps and Websites

Identifying fake apps and websites can be challenging, but there are some strategies you can use. Below are ways to identify a fake app or website:

• Thoroughly Check the App or Website Name

Usually, imposter apps and websites come with almost similar names to the original, with just certain extra letters, punctuation, or different spellings. Look for their logos and URLs, which can be similar but slightly different.

• Confirm the Developer’s Name

Look for the name of the app developer or the website's operator. You can often find this information in the Play Store, App Store, or the website’s "About" or "Contact" page. Lack of information or vague details can be a red flag.

• Check the Number of Downloads

Popular apps have millions or even billions of downloads. For websites, you can use tools like Alexa Rank to check their traffic. If an app or site has low downloads or traffic compared to what you'd expect, it could be fake.

• Impractical Offers & Discounts

Be cautious of offers that are too good to be true. Fake websites often lure users with unbelievable deals to obtain their payment information or trick them into making purchases that never arrive.

• Check Reviews

Go through the review section of the app or search for reviews of the website online. Popular apps and sites usually have thousands of reviews. Watch out for negative reviews mentioning fraud or scams.

Remember, original, popular apps also have thousands of negative reviews. However, the user complaint would be different, like "too many ads", "poor customer support", or something not indicating fraud or being fake.

• Look for Secure Connections

For websites, always check if the site uses HTTPS rather than HTTP. The padlock icon next to the URL indicates that the connection is secure. The absence of HTTPS on sites asking for sensitive information is a major red flag.

How to Report Fake Applications, Websites and Scams 

Here is how you can report a fake app, website, or fraud and prevent others from falling victim:

• Report on the Google Play Store

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store and navigate to the app page.

Step 2: Then tap on the three dots icon on the top right corner of your screen.

Step 3: Click on "Flag as inappropriate" and select the reason for reporting, such as “App felt suspicious”, "content felt hostile”, etc.

Step 4: Then, simply click on “Share Feedback” to submit your report.

• Report on the Apple App Store

Step 1: Open the Apple App Store.

Step 2: Then navigate to the app's page.

Step 3: Scroll down to the "Ratings & Reviews" section and find the "Report a Problem" option.

Step 4: Tap on the "Report a Problem" option.

Step 5: Then, you will be redirected to Apple's login page, where you will have to log in using your Apple ID.

Step 6: Once you have signed in, click on the drop-down to select your issue, such as "Report a scam or fraud" or "Report offensive, illegal, or abusive content," and submit.

• Contact the Developer

Once you have reported on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, consider reporting the same directly to the developer. You can reach out to the developer's support from the Play Store or App Store, which are outlined in the steps below:

Step 1: Visit the app page.

Step 2: Scroll down, and you will find a section called “App Support”.

Step 3: From there, you can directly send an email to the developer's support team.

• Report a Fake Website
  

• You can use tools like Google Safe Browsing or Web of Trust to check the website’s safety.
• If the website is fake or suspicious, you can report it directly to Google through their "Report a phishing page" form.
• Additionally, you can contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the website hosting service to report the fraudulent site.

Summing Up Fake Website and App Fraud

In conclusion, fake apps and websites are harmful tools designed by cybercriminals to carry out malicious activities.

By checking for authenticity through verified sources, reading reviews, examining developer or operator details, and verifying the number of downloads or website traffic, you can protect yourself from potential risks.

Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so take the time to verify before you download or input any sensitive information online.