Is this business legit? Find out before you pay.
Search a business, learn exactly what to check, and use our guides and tools to spot fake stores, job offers, loan apps and investment schemes.
Six places where fake businesses hide
Different offers need different checks. Pick the one that matches what you are looking at.
Online stores
Fake shopping sites copy real brands and offer huge discounts. Learn how to check a store before you order.
Read guidesJob offers
Fake recruiters ask for registration or training fees. Learn how to check a company and its offer letter.
Read guidesLoan and finance apps
Instant approval promises, hidden charges and aggressive recovery. Learn how to check a lender first.
Read guidesFranchise and business offers
Pay a fee, get a "guaranteed" income. Learn how to check agreements, past partners and claims.
Read guidesInvestment schemes
Very high, fixed returns are a classic trap. Learn how to check regulator registration and spot Ponzi patterns.
Read guidesService providers
Movers, repairs, agencies and freelancers take money first. Learn how to check them before you pay.
Read guidesFive questions to ask about any business
You do not need to be an expert. Answer these five questions and you will know whether to go ahead, ask for more proof or walk away.
Identity
Who is behind it?Look for a legal name, owner details and a registration number such as GST, CIN or Udyam that you can match with official records.
Presence
Does it exist for real?Check the address on a map, call the phone number and see how old the website is. A real business leaves a footprint.
Payments
Where does money go?The account or UPI name should match the business. Payment to a stranger's personal account is a major warning sign.
Proof
What is the track record?Read detailed reviews, past work and complaints. Specific stories from real people count for more than star averages.
Pressure
How are they treating you?Genuine sellers let you take your time. Countdown timers, advance fees and requests for OTPs are signs of a trap.
How a genuine business differs from a fake one
Keep this table in mind the next time an offer looks too good to be true.
Count the warning signs in 6 quick questions
Think about the business or offer in front of you and answer honestly. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
This quiz counts warning signs only. It cannot tell you whether a business is genuine or fake.
Where to check the facts yourself
The best proof comes from official records. These are the places to start.
GST portal
Use the taxpayer search to compare a GST number with the registered business name and state.
gst.gov.inMinistry of Corporate Affairs
Look up company or LLP master data to confirm that a registered company exists and who runs it.
mca.gov.inUdyam Registration
Verify a small business's Udyam registration number against the official portal.
udyamregistration.gov.inDomain lookup
See when a website's domain was registered. Brand new domains with big discounts deserve caution.
lookup.icann.orgCyber crime portal
Report online financial fraud and other cyber crimes on the national reporting portal.
cybercrime.gov.inHelpline 1930
Call the national cyber crime helpline immediately if you have lost money to an online fraud.
Call 1930Want a faster check? Use the Verify tool.
Enter a website, phone number, business name or GST number and see the signals worth a closer look, in one clear report.
Open the Verify Tool- Website checks
- Phone number checks
- GST number format checks
Fresh guides and scam alerts
New articles appear here automatically as soon as they are published. Swipe or use the arrows.
Already paid a fake business? Do this now.
The first few hours matter the most. Stay calm and follow these four steps in order.
Stop all contact and payments
Do not send more money, even if they promise a refund after one more payment. That is usually the next trick.
Call your bank and 1930
Tell your bank or payment app right away and call the national cyber crime helpline on 1930.
Save all the evidence
Keep screenshots, chats, call numbers, receipts, transaction IDs and the website address. Do not delete anything.
File a report
Report on cybercrime.gov.in and let others know by reporting the business to us.
How to check if a business is legit in India
India's digital economy has made it easier than ever to buy, hire and invest online. It has also made it easier for fraudsters to look professional. A polished website, a convincing brand name and a friendly voice on WhatsApp cost very little to create. Knowing how to check if a business is legit has become a basic life skill, as important as checking a lock before you leave home.
Start with identity and presence
A genuine business is not hiding. It has a legal name, an owner or director, a registration number and an address where it actually operates. You can match a GST number on the official GST portal, find a registered company on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website and confirm a small business through Udyam. Then confirm that the business exists in the real world: call the number, look up the address on a map and see how long its website has existed. Our 5-point legit check turns this into five simple questions.
Follow the money
Where your payment goes tells you more than any advertisement. Genuine businesses accept payment through a gateway or to an account in the business name. A request to pay to an unrelated personal account, to pay everything in advance or to pay "just now" before an offer expires is a classic fraud pattern. When in doubt, choose cash on delivery, staged payments or a written agreement.
Read the proof, not just the stars
Star ratings can be faked, but detailed stories are harder to fake. Look for reviews that mention specific products, dates and people, that include some criticism and that are spread across months, not days. Search the business name together with words like "complaint", "fraud" or "refund", and read beyond the first page of results. Use our legit versus fake table and the red-flag quiz to see how many warning signs you can spot.
Know what to do if something goes wrong
If you have already paid, speed matters. Contact your bank, call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 and report the matter on the cyber crime portal. Keep every screenshot and receipt. You can also report the business to help others avoid the same mistake. Our step-by-step guide lists exactly what to do.
Questions people ask before they pay
Cannot find your answer? Our guides go deeper into each topic.
Read the guidesHow do I know if a business is legit?
Is LegitBusinessCheck a government website?
Is a GST number enough to prove a business is genuine?
How do I check a company on the MCA website?
Can a genuine business still have bad reviews?
What if a business has no website, only social media?
What should I do if I have already paid a fake business?
How do I report a suspicious business?
Check first. Pay later.
A few minutes of checking can protect your savings, your time and your peace of mind.