Start with the source, not the search result
A search result that looks official might be a scam site designed to look like a government page. Before you read anything, check who actually wrote it. Look at the very bottom of the page or in the "About Us" section — you should see a real organization's name, a physical address, and a phone number you can call to verify. If the page hides who runs it, or lists only a generic email address, move on.
The most reliable sources are government agencies (like your state's housing authority or the Social Security Administration), established nonprofits with a long history (like the American Red Cross or your local United Way), and universities. These organizations have reputations to protect and staff who are accountable for what they publish. A page run by someone trying to sell you something is less reliable than a page that makes no money from your visit.
One quick test: can you find the same information on three separate, unrelated websites? If only one site mentions a fact, and that site is trying to sell you something, be skeptical. If the same fact appears on a government site, a nonprofit site, and a news organization, you can trust it more.
Key Takeaways
- Check the bottom of the page for the organization's real name, address, and phone number before you trust what it says.
- Government agencies, established nonprofits, and universities are more reliable than sites designed to sell you something.
- If the same information appears on three unrelated trustworthy sites, it is more likely to be accurate than if only one source mentions it.
- Watch for red flags like urgent language, promises of information programs, or pressure to act when ready — these are common on scam sites.
- When you find good information, save the source and the date you found it, because websites change and what was true last year might not be true now.
Spot the warning signs that a site is not trustworthy
Scam sites use specific tactics to look official. They often copy the logos and colors of real government agencies, use official-sounding names (like "Federal Housing Bureau" when the real agency is called something else), and pressure you to act fast. If a page says "act now," "limited time," "verify when ready," or "your benefits are expiring," that is a red flag. Real government agencies do not rush you.
Another warning sign is a site that asks you to pay money upfront or enter your Social Security number before you have spoken to a real person. Legitimate programs never charge you to find out whether you might be may be able to access. If a site promises "may provide" results or "information programs," it is selling something, not informing you.
Look at the web address itself. Real government sites end in .gov (like housing.gov). Real nonprofits usually end in .org. A site that ends in .com and claims to be a government program is lying. Scammers also buy web addresses that are one letter off from the real thing — so check carefully that you are on the actual site you intended to visit.
Use fact-checking sites when you are unsure
If you find conflicting information or you are not sure whether a claim is true, fact-checking sites can help. Snopes.com specializes in debunking false claims that spread online. FactCheck.org focuses on political and policy claims. PolitiFact rates the accuracy of statements made by public figures. These sites show you their sources and explain their reasoning, so you can see how they reached their conclusion.
You can also search the claim itself plus the word "false" or "debunked" to see if other people have already checked it. If a claim has been fact-checked multiple times and found to be false, you will see that in the search results. If it has been checked and found to be true, you will see that too.
Understand the difference between news and opinion
News reporting tells you what happened, who said it, and what the evidence shows. Opinion pieces tell you what someone thinks about what happened. Both can appear on the same website, but they are different things. A reliable news site clearly labels opinion pieces as opinion, separate from news reporting.
When you are looking for facts — like how a program works or what documents you need — stick to news reporting and official sources. Opinion pieces are useful for understanding different viewpoints, but they are not the place to find factual information about how to do something.
Be aware that some websites mix news and opinion without clear labels, or present opinion as if it were reporting. This is especially common on sites designed to push a particular political view. If you cannot tell whether something is news or opinion, that is a sign to look elsewhere.
Check the date and look for updates
Information changes. A page about housing programs that was accurate two years ago might be outdated now because the program changed, funding ran out, or rules shifted. Always look for the date the page was published and the date it was last updated. If a page does not show any date, that is a warning sign.
For topics that change frequently — like pandemic rules, benefit amounts, or program availability — look for a page updated within the last few months. For more stable topics, a page from a year or two ago is usually still reliable if it comes from a trustworthy source. But always check whether the source has published anything newer on the same topic.
If you find important information on a page that has not been updated in years, try to find a more recent source. Search for the same topic on the official government website for your state or county. Call the organization directly and ask if the information is still current. A quick phone call can save you from following outdated instructions.
Learn what .gov, .org, and .com actually mean
The ending of a web address — called a domain extension — tells you something about who runs the site. A .gov address means it is a government website, run by a federal, state, or local agency. These are usually reliable for factual information about how programs work, though they can be hard to navigate.
A .org address means it is registered as a nonprofit organization. This does not automatically make it trustworthy — anyone can register a .org domain — but nonprofits are required to file public records about their finances and mission, so you can research them. A .com address means it is a commercial website, run by a business or individual. Commercial sites can publish accurate information, but they may also have a financial reason to steer you toward certain choices.
Do not assume a .gov site is always right or a .com site is always wrong. But when you are choosing between sources, a .gov site run by the actual agency responsible for a program is more reliable than a .com site trying to explain that program to you.
Use your library and call real people when you are stuck
Your local public library offers free access to databases and research tools that are not available to the general public online. Librarians are trained to help people find reliable information and can point you toward sources you might not find on your own. Many libraries also offer free classes on how to spot misinformation. This is a free resource that most people do not know about.
When you are trying to understand a program or policy, calling the organization directly is often faster and more reliable than searching online. A real person can answer your specific question, tell you whether information you found is current, and point you toward official documents. Government agencies, nonprofits, and utilities all have phone numbers listed on their official websites. If you cannot find a number, search "[organization name] contact" or call 211, which connects you to local services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a website is pretending to be a government site?
Real government sites end in .gov. If a site claims to be government but ends in .com or .org, it is not an official government page. Also check the web address carefully — scammers buy addresses that are one letter off from the real thing. When in doubt, go directly to the official government website by searching "[agency name] official website" or calling the agency's main number to ask for the correct web address.
What should I do if I find conflicting information on different websites?
Look at which sources are most trustworthy — government agencies and established nonprofits rank higher than commercial sites. Check the dates to see if one source is newer. Then call the organization directly and ask which information is correct. A five-minute phone call often resolves confusion that hours of searching would not.
Is information from social media reliable?
Social media is useful for finding out what other people are experiencing, but it is not reliable for factual information. Anyone can post anything on social media, and false claims spread quickly because they are often more interesting than true ones. Always verify information you find on social media by checking it against official sources or fact-checking sites.
How can I tell if a news article is reporting facts or pushing an opinion?
News reporting answers who, what, when, where, and why with sources you can check. Opinion pieces tell you what someone thinks. Reliable news sites label opinion clearly and separate it from reporting. If you cannot tell the difference, look for the same story on multiple news sources — if they all report the same basic facts, those facts are likely accurate.
What do I do if a website asks for my Social Security number?
Legitimate programs never ask for your Social Security number before you have spoken to a real person and confirmed you are dealing with an official organization. If a website asks for it upfront, leave the site and contact the organization directly using a phone number you find yourself, not one provided on the suspicious website.