✔️ How to Verify Whether a Business Is Legitimate
Research companies before sending money or signing contracts.
💰
Free public checks mostly
⏱️
An hour or two of research usually suffices
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📋 Documents you'll need
- Exact legal name and address
- Website domain age lookup tools
- Phone numbers listed publicly
- Payment method requested by seller
🪜 Step-by-step
- Search the Secretary of State registry where the company claims formation to verify active standing.
- Cross-check licensing boards for regulated trades like contractors, insurers, or lenders.
- Look up complaint histories through BBB profiles and FTC scam reporting databases.
- Test contact channels - legitimate firms answer phones matching addresses and publish physical locations.
- Examine payment demands: wire transfers, crypto wallets, or gift cards signal fraud regardless of documentation quality.
| Estimated cost | Free public checks mostly |
|---|---|
| Typical timeline | An hour or two of research usually suffices |
Note This guide is general information and procedures, fees, and rules can change and vary by state or agency. The official authority is always the relevant government office and its official website. See our Disclaimer.
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Frequently asked questions
Does BBB accreditation guarantee trustworthiness?
Accreditation reflects paid membership standards rather than universal vetting - combine multiple signals.
URL registered yesterday concerning?
Very young domains claiming decades-long history deserve skepticism even when sites appear polished.
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