How can I check who owns a website?
Using WHOIS
WHOIS is a public database that shows who registered a domain name. You can use free tools like whois.icann.org or whois.domaintools.com. Enter the domain (e.g., example.com) and you'll see the registrar, registration date, and sometimes the owner's name and contact info.
Many domain owners use privacy protection services, which replace their personal details with the service's info. So you might not see the real owner. But you can still see when the domain was created, which helps assess its trustworthiness.
- Go to whois.icann.org or whois.domaintools.com.
- Enter the domain name without 'www'.
- Look for 'Registrant' or 'Admin' contact info.
- Check the 'Creation Date' and 'Expiration Date'.
- Note if privacy protection is enabled.
Other ways to find the owner
If WHOIS is private, check the website itself for an address, phone number, or company registration number. You can also search the business name on your state's Secretary of State website if it's a US company. For international sites, look for a VAT number or company registry.
Social media profiles can also give clues. A legitimate business usually has an active presence with consistent branding. If the site has no social media or the accounts are inactive, that's a red flag.
- Look for a physical address on the site's Contact page.
- Search the business name on your state's Secretary of State site.
- Check for a VAT or company registration number.
- See if the site links to active social media profiles.
Common mistakes
- Assuming WHOIS always shows the real owner; privacy services often hide it.
- Not checking the domain's creation date, which can indicate a fly-by-night operation.
- Ignoring inconsistencies between the WHOIS info and the site's claimed location.
