How to Check Whether a US Company Is Real or Fake

Whether you are choosing a supplier, signing a distributor, accepting a large order or answering a job offer, it pays to confirm that a US company really exists, is in good standing, and is who it says it is. Scammers know that a "US company" sounds trustworthy, and some create or impersonate real companies to take deposits, steal goods or collect personal data.

These checks take little time and can save you a lot.

Checks you can make

1. State registration

Every legitimate LLC or corporation is registered with a US state. Each state's business records show the company's exact legal name, formation date, status and registered agent. Search by name in the state the company claims to be from, and compare the details with what you were given.

Watch for names that are almost right: an extra word, a different suffix ("Inc" vs "LLC") or a slightly different spelling can mean you are looking at a different company, or an impersonator.

2. Good standing

A company can exist on paper but be inactive, dissolved or revoked. A dissolved company cannot legally do business in its own name. Check the status, not just the existence.

3. Age and history

A company formed last month claiming decades of experience is a warning sign. Compare the formation date with the story you are being told.

4. Address

Is the address a real office, a virtual office or only a registered agent's address? Virtual addresses are common and legitimate for small and foreign-owned companies (including our clients), but an address that doesn't match the company's claims, or appears for many unrelated companies, deserves questions. See US business address types.

5. Website and domain

Check that the website's domain matches the company and has some history, that contact details are consistent, and that the email addresses you receive come from that domain, not free email services or lookalike domains.

6. People

Look up the people you are dealing with. Do their professional profiles and history match their role? Can you reach them through the company's main contact details, not just the numbers they gave you?

7. Tax ID and documents

A company can confirm its EIN by providing a W-9. Formation documents and certificates of good standing can be requested for larger deals. Treat documents as one input, since they can be forged; cross-check against official sources.

8. Bank details

The bank account should be in the company's exact name. Payments requested to a personal account, a different company, or a different country than expected are serious red flags.

9. References and trade history

For suppliers and distributors, ask for references, check reviews and trade records, and start with a smaller order.

Red flags

• Pressure to pay urgently or keep the deal confidential.
• Requests for payment by gift cards, crypto or to personal accounts.
• "Updated" bank details sent by email.
• Prices far below the market.
• A company name that doesn't exactly match state records.
• Job offers that ask you to pay fees or share passport and bank details up front.
• Reluctance to meet by video or provide verifiable information.

If you are already involved

Stop sending money, keep all records, contact your bank immediately to try to recall payments, and report the matter to the relevant authorities in your country and the USA.

Protect your own company's credibility

If you run a US company, make it easy for partners to verify you: keep the company in good standing, use one consistent address and legal name everywhere, and use a domain email. See annual requirements for a foreign-owned LLC.

How UCB helps

We can help you check a US company's registration and status before you sign or pay, and we keep our own clients' companies compliant and verifiable.

About to deal with a US company you're unsure of? WhatsApp us at +91 8105 199 399 or email info@ucbsolutions.com and we will help you check.