Thanks to the internet, people are able to find a product that they want and purchase it online in a matter of minutes. When you start your search, you will likely find businesses of all sizes offering the product or service you’re looking for. However, just because a website looks good doesn’t necessarily mean the company is genuine. In order to avoid getting scammed, here are some of the best ways to check whether a business is legitimate.
Check How the Company Accepts Payments
There are some companies that only accept payment through insecure methods like cash and paper checks. If you can’t pay through PayPal, Stripe, Google Checkout, or other secondary electronic payment providers, then there’s a good chance the company isn’t legitimate. Keep in mind that the aforementioned providers are considered to be the safest methods for making purchases online.
Do a Google Search
If you’re unsure whether a certain company is genuine, one of the best things you can do is check its online reputation. You’ll almost always find what other people are saying on social media and forums. If you notice there are a lot of negative reviews, it’s best to start searching for a different company. Nevertheless, know that there will always be some people unsatisfied with the product or service. It’s completely okay if the business has a few negative reviews. You should reconsider completing your purchase only if you see a lot of people posting their bad experiences with the company.
Check Whether the Company Is BBB Approved
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1912, that helps people find businesses they can trust. You can find a list of legitimate companies approved by the BBB online. It’s worth noting that businesses that have been checked and certified by this organization will provide you with a good, professional experience. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about common consumer threats like fraud, scams, phishing, false advertising, and unauthorized billing.
Search for a Physical Address
Many fake companies don’t have a physical location. Try to find an address or phone number on their website. If there is no way to contact them, avoid purchasing anything from the business. On the other hand, if you find a phone number, make sure you call them and see who answers. In the event that no one answers after multiple calls, search for a different company. But if someone does pick up, make sure you ask them questions about their products. If the employee answers all of your questions, you probably won’t have to worry about the company being illegitimate.
Research Their Website
If you take a deeper look at the company’s website, you’ll likely be able to spot whether the business is fake. For instance, if the firm claims to be based in the US, but you notice poor English being frequently used on the website, that’s a red flag. There’s a good chance the company isn’t legitimate. It’s worth noting that most fake websites are made overseas.
Another extremely important thing you should pay attention to is whether the website has a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. This represents a standard security technology that establishes an encrypted link between your browser and the site’s web server. You will know whether they have an SSL if their URL address starts with “https://”. Note that this protocol will ensure your sensitive information like login credentials and credit card numbers are transmitted securely.
Visit the Physical Location
If you want to be completely sure whether the company is genuine and you notice its physical location is close to you, pay them a visit. If you’re unable to find the business, then you’ll know it’s not real.
