How to tell if a website is trustworthy?

A trustworthy website shows a few concrete signals: a secure connection (HTTPS), complete legal details, verifiable contact information, and genuine customer reviews.

⚠️ BUT be careful: the green padlock is no longer enough. Today, fraudulent sites display an SSL certificate to look legitimate. You need to cross-check several criteria before trusting a site especially before paying.

In this guide, you'll find 7 simple criteria, the free tools to check a website, and the real risks in Côte d'Ivoire.

01What signs show that a website is trustworthy?

A trustworthy site shows verifiable proof, not just promises. Here's the grid to know by heart.

🎯 Simple rule: if three rows turn red, close the tab.

02How do you check a website's legal details?

Look for the "legal notice" or "about" page, usually in the footer. A serious site lists the company name, its address, and an identification number.

In Côte d'Ivoire, a real business holds an RCCM (trade register number). A shop that gives no company name or physical contact leaves you with no recourse in case of a dispute. That's a deal-breaker.

Also check for consistency: a "big store" with just a Gmail address and no landline is suspicious. Real professionals own their identity. It's actually one of the essential elements of a professional website: transparency builds trust.

03How do you recognize a secure website?

A secure site encrypts your data through an SSL certificate, shown by "https://" and the padlock in the address bar.

⚠️ Important nuance: HTTPS protects the transmission of your information, but it doesn't guarantee the seller's honesty. A scammer can enable a free SSL in minutes. The padlock is necessary, never sufficient.

For payment, favor sites that go through locally recognized gateways like CinetPay or PayDunya, or a secure Mobile Money flow. 🚩 Avoid any site that demands a direct transfer to a personal account or an upfront Mobile Money deposit with no invoice. That's the classic scam playbook.

For site owners, the same logic applies: a poorly protected website becomes a risk itself. Our tips on how to secure a WordPress site explain how to avoid getting hacked.

04Why should you read other users' reviews?

Because other people's experience reveals what a site will never admit about itself. Reviews are your best lie detector.

✅ Good habits:

• Search the site name on Google followed by "review" or "scam"

• Read comments on social media (Facebook, WhatsApp buy-and-sell groups)

• Be wary of a perfect score with zero negative reviews — that's rarely natural

📍 Local tip: in Côte d'Ivoire, Facebook groups and WhatsApp communities flag fraudulent sites fast. A quick search of the seller's name can save you a bad surprise.

05Which tools can you use to check a website's reputation?

Several free tools let you check a site in under five minutes. Here are the most useful.

🎯 A domain created two weeks ago for a well-established "big store"? The WHOIS tool often exposes the scam at a glance.

06What are the consequences of browsing an untrustworthy site?

The consequences range from stolen financial data to outright loss of money. And the problem is exploding.

In Côte d'Ivoire, the PLCC recorded 12,100 cybercrime cases in 2024, compared with 8,132 in 2023 roughly a 49% jump in a single year. The damage reached nearly 7 billion FCFA in 2024, according to the ANSSI report. Online fraud alone accounts for 2,326 cases over the year. 

Scams often take the form of fake investments. In early 2025, the PLCC arrested several people linked to "Sunpower," an online investment platform that promised exceptional returns via Mobile Money around supposed solar panels. Hundreds of victims fell for it.

⚠️ Useful reminder: Ivorian law No. 2013-451 of 19 June 2013 punishes cybercrime, including identity theft, with one to five years' imprisonment and fines. You're not alone — but prevention remains your best protection.

07In summary

Before trusting a website, check:

• 🔒 Security: HTTPS + payment via CinetPay or PayDunya

• 📍 Transparency: legal details, RCCM, and real contact

• 💬 Reputation: dated external reviews and a "name + review" search

• 🌐 Age: domain date via WHOIS

A single criterion isn't enough. Cross-check at least three, and at the slightest doubt before a payment: hold off.

08FAQ: your questions about website trust

Does the HTTPS padlock guarantee a site is trustworthy? 

No. It only encrypts your data during transmission. A fraudulent site can still display a padlock. Always check other criteria.

How do I find out who's behind a website? 

Check the legal notice, then use the WHOIS tool to see the domain's creation date. A very recent domain calls for caution.

How do I pay safely on an Ivorian website? 

Use CinetPay, PayDunya, or a secure Mobile Money flow with confirmation. Refuse any direct transfer to a personal account.

Is a site with no legal details automatically a scam? 

Not always, but it's a strong red flag. With no identity or contact details, you have no recourse if something goes wrong.

I've been scammed online — what should I do ?

 Report it to the PLCC (cybercrime unit), under the ANSSI, and keep all your evidence (screenshots, transactions).