MAKATI CITY, Philippines--A Filipino startup is offering a web accreditation system that helps ensure local corporate websites are legitimate, its founders said.

Claiming to be the first Philippine-based website verification system, Sureseal provides a stringent verification system for companies subscribing to its online trust seal.

Online trust seals, which appear as logos in a website, help boost the confidence of visitors who might be visiting phishing websites or websites that trick people into giving away personal information, such as usernames and passwords.

Gerel Roa, lead technology consultant of Sureseal, said the company aims to help prevent Internet scams done through the web.

Roa said having a web trust seal could increase the confidence of visitors to corporate websites and its online services.

While other trust seal providers only check on a website's secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption technology, Sureseal is going beyond web security by visiting companies applying for the web seal.

"Every website applying for a Sureseal trust seal is scrutinized and verified by visits to their offices. People can breathe easy when they're sure a website is secure and that services are delivered," Roa said, adding that the services of the startup would be cost-effective.

Sureseal is founded by Pinoydelikasi.com founder Jovel Cipriano, Lead.com.ph founder Erick Kalugdan, JobsDB Philippines country manager Jayjay Viray, Roa, Hermie de la Paz who will serve as president and Dustin Andaya as the startup?s chairman.