Check 5: Is the page taking your card the official one?

Lookalike domains target exactly this moment. Thirty seconds here is worth it on a four-figure purchase.

The four things to check in the address bar

1. Spelling, letter by letter. Transposed letters and added hyphens are the oldest trick there is.
2. The padlock, and that the certificate matches the domain.
3. The processor. Purchases run through Groove Sell. A bare card form with no recognisable processor is the thing to walk away from.
4. The price. It should read $2,497 or 6 x $497. A different number means a different product or a different seller.

Does an affiliate link change anything?

No. Affiliate links resolve to the same official pages, the price is identical, and the commission comes out of the vendor's margin rather than being added to your bill. What can differ is whether you receive a bonus package on top.

The other checks

• Is the seller a real person?
• Is the advertised price the real price?
• Are the refund terms published?
• What do you actually receive?
• Are there costs beyond the price?
• What expires, and when?
• Does it fit how you work?
• What happens after you pay?
• What do critics say?