Before transferring money, paying a deposit, or providing personal information, pause and ask one simple question:
Is this business real?
Fake businesses can look convincing. They may have professional websites, logos, invoices and email signatures. They may communicate clearly and respond promptly. Nothing may feel obviously wrong.
That is why it is important to verify legitimacy independently, using objective checks that cannot easily be faked.
These checks are simple, free, and take only a few minutes.
Step 1: Check their contact details
Real businesses are transparent about how they can be contacted.
At a minimum, you should expect to see:
- A working phone number
- A real email address
- A physical business address
- Clear and consistent business identification
Be cautious if contact details are vague, difficult to find, or do not work. Legitimate businesses expect customers to contact them. They do not hide.
Step 2: Check their ABN
In Australia, most legitimate businesses operate using an Australian Business Number (ABN). Checking the ABN is one of the most reliable ways to confirm that a business exists.
You can verify any ABN for free using the official ABN Lookup website:
Australian Business Register (ABR)
When checking, make sure:
- The ABN exists
- The business name matches
- The ABN is active
If the business cannot provide an ABN, or the details do not match, that is a serious warning sign.
Step 3: Search for independent information
Before paying, search for the business name online and add words such as:
- reviews
- complaint
- scam
Pay attention to where reviews appear.
Reviews on platforms controlled by the business itself — such as its own website or social media page — are less reliable. These can be curated, filtered, or selectively displayed.
Independent sources carry more weight. These include:
- Google reviews
- Independent review platforms
- Forums or public discussion sites
- Mentions by unrelated third parties
Be cautious if you find consistent negative experiences, or no independent information at all.
Step 4: Watch for pressure, urgency, or unusual payment requests
Certain behaviours should prompt caution, including:
- Pressure to pay quickly
- Requests for unusual payment methods such as gift cards
- Refusal to provide clear business details
- Deals that appear unusually favourable
These tactics are designed to secure payment before verification occurs.
If you have already paid
If you have already made a payment and something does not feel right, contact your bank as soon as possible.
Many people assume that once a payment has been made, nothing can be done. That is not always the case. Banks have processes for reviewing disputed transactions, particularly where a payment may have been made to a scam or fraudulent business.
If you are concerned about a payment you have already made, report the transaction and explain what has happened. Acting quickly can sometimes make a difference.
