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Double Check That It’s CalPERS – Tips to Avoid Fake Websites

4 months ago
Asian Woman Using Mobile Phone on Rooftop

The rise in online scams has become a significant concern as more people rely on the internet for banking, shopping, and communication. When you’re interacting with CalPERS, it’s important to double (and triple check) that you are indeed on the CalPERS website.

Avoiding fake websites is crucial for protecting your personal information and avoiding scams. Here are some tips to help you identify and steer clear of fake websites:

Check the URL’s Domain Structure Carefully

To ensure you visit the official CalPERS website, carefully examine the URL’s domain. The official CalPERS domain will always end with calpers.ca.gov. Understanding the structure of a domain helps you distinguish between legitimate sites and phishing attempts.

www.calpers.ca.gov

  • .gov tells you the site is run by a U.S. government organization. Only trusted government groups obtain .gov, so it’s hard for scammers to fake.
  • ca indicates that the site is part of California government. Obtaining “.ca” is also strictly controlled, so it’s not easy for unauthorized users to obtain.
  • calpers our acronym is a clear sign you’re on the official site for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.

Here are some examples of websites and what to watch for.

Examples What to watch for…
https://www.calpers.ca.com/page/login The .com indicates that this is likely not a U.S.-based government organization. CalPERS’ domain will always end in calpers.ca.gov.
https://www.calpers.ca/gov gov is not part of the domain. The domain in this example is ww.calpers.ca, which is not a CalPERS site because the domain does not end in calpers.ca.gov.
https://www.calpers.gov.ca This is not a CalPERS site. The .gov and .ca are reversed. Make sure the order is correct.
https://wwwcalpers.ca.gov/page/login This is not a CalPERS site. There is a period missing between www and calpers.
https://WWW.CALPERS.CA.GOV This is a legitimate site. Capitalization does not matter in a domain name.
https://www.calpers.ca.gov This is a legitimate site. The domain name ends with .calpers.ca.gov.

Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links

Don’t click on links from unsolicited emails, pop-up ads, or social media messages. These links could redirect you to fake websites designed to steal your information. You can validate an email or website by hovering your mouse over the link and it will display the URL. Check the URL to make sure the domain ends in calpers.ca.gov.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off or if you have doubts about a website’s legitimacy, it’s better to err on the side of caution and not proceed.