Avoiding the Trap: How to Spot and Stay Safe from Phishing Sites

Phishing websites are fraudulent sites designed to trick you into providing personal or financial details. Customers of The Horror Dome should be particularly vigilant, as scammers often target popular specialty retailers to exploit eager fans and collectors. Recently, several fake sites have attempted to replicate our products, deceiving customers and risking their security.

Warning Signs of a Phishing Website

1. Suspicious URLs

• Watch for misspellings or slight variations of known brands (e.g., "HorrorDorne.com" instead of "HorrorDome.com").

•  

  Look out for fake domains that add "us" before or after the brand name, like "USTheHorrorDome.com" or "TheHorrorDomeUS.com".

   

• Beware of unusual domain extensions like ".shop," ".xyz," or ".online."

2. Poor Website Design

• Be cautious of low-resolution images or distorted logos.

• Notice unprofessional layouts, broken links, and frequent pop-ups.

3. Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals

• Be cautious of exceptionally low prices and unrealistic discounts.

• Avoid sites promising rare or exclusive items significantly below typical market prices.

4. Inconsistent or Missing Information

• Genuine businesses provide accurate contact details, including a physical address, phone number, and email address.

• Legitimate websites clearly display privacy policies and terms of service.

5. Urgent or Aggressive Calls-to-Action

• Scammers often use pressure tactics like "limited stock," "act now," or "offer expires soon."

• Genuine promotions clearly outline the terms without intense urgency.

Real-World Examples from The Horror Dome

Recently, several fraudulent sites copied our products, branding, and logos. For example:

• Sites like "DomeProps.com" and "Morristore.com" attempted to replicate our product pages.

• These sites often lack precise contact details, offer suspiciously low pricing, and use distorted images and logos.

Steps to Verify a Legitimate Website

• Always verify the URL carefully.

• Ensure the website address starts with HTTPS and displays a padlock symbol, indicating a secure connection.

• Use verification tools like URLScan.io or Google's Safe Browsing check to ensure safety.

What to Do if You Encounter a Phishing Website

• Never enter personal or financial information on a suspicious site.

• Report phishing immediately using tools like Google's phishing report or URLScan.io.

• Contact customer support at The Horror Dome immediately if you suspect a fake site.

How The Horror Dome Protects Its Customers

We continuously monitor for fraudulent websites and take swift action to remove them. Our trademarked logos and products are strictly protected, and we maintain a clear direct-to-customer model, meaning we never wholesale or sell via third-party sites.

We also report phishing websites every week to help keep our community safe. If you come across a suspicious website pretending to be The Horror Dome, your tip helps us shut it down faster.

Conclusion and Safety Tips Recap

Stay vigilant by:

• Checking URLs carefully.

• Looking for secure HTTPS connections.

• Verifying unusually good deals cautiously.

• Report suspicious websites immediately.