How can I check if a company is legitimate?

Depending on the type of company you have different methods to check if it is a legitimate company.

If the company is a UK based Limited Liability company:

1. Check if the company has a valid company number (8 digits or 2 letters followed by 6 digits)
2. Verify the company exists on the Companies House register
3. Check the company status - it should be 'Active' for a trading company
4. Review the filing history - legitimate companies file annual accounts and confirmation statements
5. Check the registered address - it should be a UK address
6. Verify director information - legitimate companies have named directors
7. Look for consistent trading history and regular filings

Red flags to watch for:

• Company status showing as 'Dissolved' or 'Liquidation'
• No recent filing history
• Frequent changes of registered office
• Directors with multiple dissolved companies
• Very recent incorporation date for established-sounding businesses

For other business types (sole traders, partnerships), checking legitimacy can be more difficult as they don't have the same registration requirements. Consider:

• Checking for VAT registration if applicable
• Looking for business listings and reviews
• Verifying physical business premises
• Requesting references from other customers