Remember that both phone numbers and addresses are now super easy to fake. There is a whole industry in providing fake area code and 800 numbers. Even Google now does this, so phone numbers are no longer a sign of a real company. Before doing business, call the local chamber of commerce associated with the address and see if they are a real bricks and mortar company, or simply a referral skimming internet company with a phony address. Search in other cities to see if a supposedly “local business” is using the same website for operations in other localities. You should be wary if you find the same supposedly local business page being used for another location. Usually these copied phony business web pages are used in many cities and are just copied templates. Many have broken hyperlinks for images and links, which is a tip-off that this may be a phony phishing business page. [1] X Research source

Trade and/or specialty businesses should have their relevant permits, licenses and approved registration documentation clearly on display for customers. If so, check and make sure that these displayed certifications are up to date. Restaurants should have relevant documentation required by the local Department of Health and Sanitation clearly displayed on the wall. Typically, this type of documentation provides the business with a grade, and the presence of such documentation indicates the legitimacy of the restaurant.

The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) provides registration authorization for many website domain names and is a great resource for determining who is the actual owner of the business website that you are researching. [5] X Research source

Review the business’s website or promotional materials to see whether they use the phrases “LLC”, “Inc”, “Corp”, in their official business name. If so, you should be able to check secretary of state websites to determine whether the company is properly registered, and thus has the right to use the particular business entity type designation in their name. [7] X Research source

A lack of a listing on BBB does not automatically mean the business is a scam. In fact, some BBB listing pages have become a place where consumers can freely voice complaints about the fraudulent nature of a business, as well as past scams that have occurred.

Credit score Contact details Financial performance Governance/leadership structure Number of years in operation Past legal judgments brought against the company