Difference between a scam and a real one?

How do you tell a scam website from a legitimate one?

You're probably not going to be able to identify scam companies just by their websites. Generally, because I've been doing this for 20 years and because I'm a grammarian, I can always spot ESL writing on websites claiming that their companies are located in the UK or US and/or that all of their writers are ENL; but most prospective customers can't do that. Other tip offs would include representations that all of their writers hold "advanced degrees" and (especially) that the company "assigns" writers who are "experts" in the particular subject matter of every project. Terms of service that sound too good to be true are another tipoff, because no essay company provides free revisions, let alone "unlimited" free revisions or refunds anytime customers (merely say that they) aren't satisfied with their work. Real essay companies (and writers) spell out the criteria that entitle you to a free revision, and limit those criteria to reasonable situations, such as their failure to follow the original specs for the project. As a prospective customer, you should Google the names and website urls and email addresses of any company you're considering and then use the search function on this forum. To do the latter effectively, you'll need to change the default "titles" to "messages" so that your search results aren't limited only to threads with the term for which you're searching in the thread title.

Or, you can go directly to trust trading sites like sitejabber and trustpilot, input the company name in the search field, and look at the ratings related to services. No ratings for a site should be the main red flag regarding its trustworthiness, reliability, and other factors for consideration.

Once you've found this forum, you don't really need any additional sources of information on writers who have been active here for many years under the same ID, other than Googling their emails and websites. Just use the search function here, and, as always, change the default "Titles" to "Messages" so that your search returns aren't limited to threads with the name of the writer in the thread title. You can also use the messaging system to contact clients who've already indicated that they've used the writer you're considering.

There is no assurance that a student will come across a legitimate or illegitimate freelancer or company at this forum. It is difficult to take their word for it since I learned that everything at this forum is for sale. For a monthly fee, they will help a company or a direct hire writer create a legitimate image by saying they "vetted" the company or independent writer.

Consider these Featured and Highlighted freelancer writers and companies at the same level as Twitter Blue at this point. They pay a monthly fee for the consideration perk therefore they are legitimate and verified in the eyes of the company runners. Nothing more, nothing less. Pay for play.

Do your own investigation before hiring company or anybody here or at other sites. It is just good housekeeping on your part. Know the person or company comfortably before you hire it / him/ her. Your safety and scam avoidance are in your hands.