Official government sites use their country’s government web address, for example ending in .gov.uk or .gov. Lookalike sites charge you for services that are free.
Step by step
- Type the main government website address yourself, or use the address on an official letter.
- Check the address ends with the official government ending for your country.
- Skip search results marked Sponsored or Ad.
- Remember many services, such as renewing a bus pass, are free or cheap on the official site.
Common mistakes
- Paying a lookalike site an extra “processing fee” for a free service.
Try it yourself
- Find your country’s official government website and bookmark it.
Printable cheat sheet: Recognizing Genuine Government Websites
- Type the main government website address yourself, or use the address on an official letter.
- Check the address ends with the official government ending for your country.
- Skip search results marked Sponsored or Ad.
- Remember many services, such as renewing a bus pass, are free or cheap on the official site.
Print this page and keep the sheet by your device. Never write passwords or PINs on it.
Good to know: Take your time and go at your own pace. Nobody genuine will ever ask you for a password, PIN or one-time code, and you never need to share them to follow this lesson. If anything on your screen looks unexpected, stop and ask a family member or your Tech Helper.