How to check if a company is legit.
Before you pay, verify the company identity, licence, complaint history, contract, and payment recipient.
Simple rule: do not send money until the names and records make sense together.
Fast checklist
- Search the exact company name plus state.
- Check the state business registry or Secretary of State record.
- If regulated, check the official licence board.
- Compare company name, invoice name, payment name, website, phone, and address.
- Search complaints, lawsuits, scams, BBB, and reviews.
- Get a written contract, written price, and written refund/cancellation terms.
- Avoid large deposits, pressure tactics, cash-only payment, or mismatched payment names.
Use the company legitimacy checker to turn these checks into a risk score.