Remote work has opened the door to incredible opportunities—but also to a rising number of job scams. Over the past few years, I’ve assisted dozens of remote job seekers who nearly paid “training fees,” “registration charges,” or “equipment deposits” to IT companies that turned out to be fake.
Years ago, I almost fell for one myself. A recruiter emailed me a high-paying “remote IT support role,” claiming I needed to pay ₹4,500 for a “security clearance.” Something didn’t feel right. After checking their credentials online, I realized the company didn’t exist beyond a basic website and a few fake LinkedIn profiles. That experience taught me a lifelong lesson: never pay money before verifying the company’s legitimacy.
This guide breaks down the exact steps remote workers should take—practical, evidence-based, and aligned with Google’s safety and verification best practices—to confirm whether an IT company is real before sending any payment.
Why Verification Matters More for Remote Workers
Remote job seekers face unique challenges:
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They don’t see the office in person.
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They often communicate only through email or WhatsApp.
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Many scammers target remote applicants because identity verification is harder.
According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), remote job scams increased significantly after 2020. Similarly, LinkedIn Safety Center warns job seekers to avoid companies requesting money upfront for training, equipment, or onboarding.
Your best protection is verification, not trust.
Step-by-Step: How to Confirm an IT Company Is Legit Before Paying Anything
1. Check the Company’s Registration on Official Government Sites
Legitimate IT companies register with recognized authorities.
For example:
Reliable sources include:
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India: Ministry of Corporate Affairs – https://www.mca.gov.in
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USA: SEC.gov or state business registries
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UK: Companies House – https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
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Canada: Corporations Canada – https://www.ic.gc.ca
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What to look for:
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Registered company name
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CIN / EIN / Company Number
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Date of incorporation
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Status (active/dormant)
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Directors/owners
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Office address
Red flag: The company isn’t listed anywhere or the details don’t match what they sent you.
2. Verify the Company Website (Beyond Surface-Level Checks)
A professional, secure website indicates legitimacy.
Check these essentials:
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HTTPS encryption (padlock in the address bar)
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Clear “About,” “Contact,” and “Career” pages
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Real team profiles
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Working corporate email domain (no Gmail/Yahoo for HR)
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Client portfolio or project history
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Privacy Policy & Terms pages
Look for consistency across pages and branding. Fake websites often use:
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Stock photos
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Broken links
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Copy-pasted text
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Inconsistent logos
Use tools like Who.is to check how old the website is. Sites created within the past 30–90 days are suspicious.
3. Cross-Check the Company on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the easiest ways to identify fake IT companies.
Signals of a real company:
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Employees with active profiles
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A registered company page
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Founder/CEO with a long digital footprint
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Consistent posts and updates
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Connections with industry professionals
Red flags:
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No employees
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Employees with empty or new profiles
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HR reps pushing for payments in DMs
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Company page created recently
Check the LinkedIn hiring history too. Real companies show past job listings and employee growth.
4. Examine Google Business Profile and Reviews
Genuine IT companies usually appear on Google Maps.
Look for:
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Office photos
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Verifiable address
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Reviews from clients or past employees
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Years of operation
Be cautious of:
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Too many 5-star reviews posted within the same week
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No office pictures
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Shared/co-working space used as a “head office”
5. Validate Their Physical Location (Even if You Can’t Visit)
Remote workers can still verify physical addresses:
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Search the address on Google Maps
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Check the building name
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Call the front desk, landlord, or co-working space
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Match the address to MCA/Companies House/official registry details
Many fraudulent companies use virtual addresses that don’t correspond to real office spaces.
6. Verify Their Remote Work Equipment or Training Fee Claims
Authentic companies rarely ask employees to pay for:
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Onboarding
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Training
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ID cards
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Security clearance
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Equipment handling
If training is paid, it is usually optional—not forced—and comes with proper documentation, invoices, and GST numbers.
Before paying a training fee, ask for:
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GST number
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Invoice
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Refund policy
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Training curriculum
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Trainer credentials
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Placement history
If they avoid giving evidence, it’s almost always a scam.
7. Search for Complaints and Scam Reports Online
Use search terms like:
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“Company name + scam”
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“Company name reviews”
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“Company name fraud complaints”
Check:
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Glassdoor
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Indeed
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Reddit India / r/WorkOnline
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Quora
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Consumer forums
Scammers cannot erase all negative reviews.
8. Ask for an Official Offer Letter and Verify It
A real company will provide:
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Offer letter on official letterhead
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Company logo
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Director signature
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HR contact details
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Job role and salary structure
You can call the company’s main phone number (not the recruiter’s mobile) to verify the offer letter.
Comparison Table: Real vs Fake IT Companies for Remote Workers
| Criteria | Legit IT Company | Fake / Scam Company |
|---|---|---|
| Website | HTTPS, detailed pages, updated | Basic template, no SSL, broken links |
| Registration | Listed on official govt site | No records found |
| LinkedIn Presence | Real employees, active profiles | Few or fake profiles |
| Address | Verifiable, with photos | Virtual or non-existent |
| Payment Requests | Never for job placement | Requests upfront fees |
| Offer Letter | Detailed and verifiable | Generic or poorly formatted |
| Reviews | Mixed, realistic | All 5-stars or none |
| Communication | Professional emails | WhatsApp-only or Gmail IDs |
Real-World Case Studies
Case Study 1: Remote Developer Saved ₹15,000 Through Verification
A remote Python developer was asked to pay a “system setup fee.”
After checking MCA records, he found the company didn’t exist.
He avoided losing money and reported the firm online, helping other job seekers.
Case Study 2: A Data Entry Applicant Identified Fake Website Clues
The website looked professional, but using Who.is, she discovered it was created only 25 days earlier.
Further checks revealed fake LinkedIn profiles.
She declined the offer—later seeing the company listed on a scam alert forum.
Case Study 3: Remote IT Support Worker Verified Through Google Maps
A candidate was told the office was in a well-known tech park.
After checking Google Maps and calling the building reception, she learned no such company existed.
This small verification step prevented a major scam.
Final Thoughts: Trust, but Verify
Remote work offers incredible flexibility, but it also increases your responsibility to verify the companies you interact with. Never send money to an IT company—no matter how convincing their pitch—without checking their registration, online presence, reviews, and physical address.
Your safety matters more than any job offer.
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