Editorial standard

How we review an offer

Scam Vigilant is designed to help people pause before payment. Our ratings describe observed risk; they do not replace a regulator, bank, law-enforcement agency or legal process.

Our review sequence

We start with the supplied page and record what a normal visitor can see: the seller identity, payment path, product promises, refund terms, urgency devices and any affiliation or disclaimer language. We then distinguish those observations from claims that still need independent proof.

ObserveRecord the page, URL, date, redirects, claims and visible checkout information.

CorroborateLook for independent company details, public warnings, official affiliation and consistent contact information.

AssessGroup signals by identity, payment, behaviour, technical context and evidence quality.

PublishExplain the assessment in plain language, include uncertainty and provide safer next steps.

Risk levels

Our initial release uses a deliberately simple scale so readers do not confuse a precise-looking number with certainty.

UnreviewedWe have received a mention, but have not completed a public assessment.

ReportedA report exists and is being checked; this is not a finding that the offer is fraudulent.

High riskSeveral meaningful warning signals are present or important claims remain unverified before payment.

Resolved / inactiveThe page has changed, disappeared or a material correction has been documented.

Corrections and right of reply

We welcome evidence that changes an assessment. Sellers can contact us with a legal business identity, fulfilment information, refund terms, authorisation evidence or a specific factual correction. We do not sell better ratings, remove accurate warnings for payment or publish private personal information.

What our pages are not

They are not a guarantee that a low-risk business is safe.
They are not a criminal or legal determination.
They are not a substitute for contacting your bank or local reporting service after a loss.