🔎
How to check if a company is real
It’s not always easy to tell if a business is real. Some fake companies look professional. They might even use real logos and websites.
This resource will show you some simple checks you can do before giving anyone your money.
These checks are free, quick, and safe. Even if you don’t know much about computers, this guide makes it easy to follow and understand.
Next
⚠️ Why checking first is important
If a company is fake, you could:
- Share personal information that’s misused for identity fraud
- Get no help or support if something goes wrong
Taking a few minutes to check first can protect you. You don’t need to be suspicious of everyone, but you can slow down and look for signs to help build your confidence.
Next
📞
Step 1: Look for clear contact details
Real businesses tell you how to contact them.
Next
Before you pay money, check the business has:
- A real phone number and email address
- A physical address (not just a PO box)
- An ABN number (we’ll show you how to check this next)
Be careful if:
- You can only contact them through social media or a form
- The phone number doesn’t work
- There are spelling mistakes or vague details
Tip:
If the contact details are hard to find, it could be a red flag.
Next
🧾
Step 2: Check their ABN
Real Australian businesses have an ABN, which is an Australian Business Number.
Next
💡 How to use the ABN Lookup tool
There is an official ABN Lookup tool which you can search for free.
Click the orange link button below to visit the ABN Lookup tool
https://abr.business.gov.au
Next
✅ What to do:
🚩 Red flags:
- Ask the business for their ABN
- Type it into the ABN Lookup website tool
- Make sure the business name and status match
- The business says they don’t have an ABN
- The name doesn’t match the website
- The ABN is cancelled or doesn’t exist
Tip:
If you need help, you can ask a friend or family member to help you look it up.
Next
💬
Step 3: Search for reviews or complaints
It can help to see what others are saying before you send money to a business.
Next
✅ What to do:
🚩 Red flags:
Type the business name into Google (or your search engine) and add words like:
- People saying they never got what they paid for
Tip:
If something feels off, it’s okay to stop and get a second opinion from someone you trust.
Next
🚨
Common warning signs
Some red flags to watch out for that indicates a company might be fake:
- They only take bank transfers or gift cards
- They pressure you to pay quickly
- The deal looks too good to be true
- They won’t answer questions directly
- The website has bad spelling or design
If a few things feel wrong, stop what you're doing and talk to someone you trust.
Next
💡
Test your new knowledge: spot the red flags
Here are some things a business might do. Tap each button on the next slide to find out if it’s safe or risky.
Next
Has an ABN listed
Asks you to pay with a gift card
Has good reviews on Google
Won’t tell you where they’re based
Says you must pay now or miss out
Gives you an invoice with business name and ABN
Next
⚖️
Your legal rights explained
Even if a business turns out to be fake, you have rights and you may still have options.
You might be able to:
- Ask your bank to reverse a payment (called a chargeback)
- Report the scam to Scamwatch or the police
- Get help from a legal service or consumer protection agency
Next
If you’ve been impacted by a scam, you can ask a lawyer a question for free on Justice Connect Answers.
Click the blue link button below to ask your question and understand your legal rights and options today.
https://answers.justiceconnect.org.au
Next
🧠
Test your new knowledge: would you trust this business?
You’re thinking about buying a new phone online. The seller says you must pay today or the price goes up. They only take direct bank transfer. There are no reviews online.
Next
Next
🎉
Well done, you’re building strong skills!
You’ve learned how to:
- Check for clear business details
- Look up an ABN
- Search for reviews or red flags
- Take simple steps to protect yourself
- Know your legal rights if something goes wrong
Every time you practice these steps, you’ll feel more confident and in control.
Finish
Click the green link button below to keep exploring more resources on digital skills and your legal rights.
https://justiceconnect.org.au/resources
🚩
That's a red flag.
If this happens to you, take extra care.
That’s a good sign!
Well done.
That’s a good sign!
Well done.
🚩
That’s a red flag.
If this happens to you, take extra care.
🚩
That’s a red flag.
If this happens to you, take extra care.
That’s a good sign!
Well done.
How to check if a company is real before giving them money
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Transcript
🔎
How to check if a company is real
It’s not always easy to tell if a business is real. Some fake companies look professional. They might even use real logos and websites. This resource will show you some simple checks you can do before giving anyone your money. These checks are free, quick, and safe. Even if you don’t know much about computers, this guide makes it easy to follow and understand.
Next
⚠️ Why checking first is important
If a company is fake, you could:
- Get no help or support if something goes wrong
Taking a few minutes to check first can protect you. You don’t need to be suspicious of everyone, but you can slow down and look for signs to help build your confidence.Next
📞
Step 1: Look for clear contact details
Real businesses tell you how to contact them.
Next
Before you pay money, check the business has:
Be careful if:
Tip:
If the contact details are hard to find, it could be a red flag.
Next
🧾
Step 2: Check their ABN
Real Australian businesses have an ABN, which is an Australian Business Number.
Next
💡 How to use the ABN Lookup tool
There is an official ABN Lookup tool which you can search for free.
Click the orange link button below to visit the ABN Lookup tool
https://abr.business.gov.au
Next
✅ What to do:
🚩 Red flags:
Tip:
If you need help, you can ask a friend or family member to help you look it up.
Next
💬
Step 3: Search for reviews or complaints
It can help to see what others are saying before you send money to a business.
Next
✅ What to do:
🚩 Red flags:
Type the business name into Google (or your search engine) and add words like:
Tip:
If something feels off, it’s okay to stop and get a second opinion from someone you trust.
Next
🚨
Common warning signs
Some red flags to watch out for that indicates a company might be fake:
- They only take bank transfers or gift cards
- They pressure you to pay quickly
- The deal looks too good to be true
- They won’t answer questions directly
- The website has bad spelling or design
If a few things feel wrong, stop what you're doing and talk to someone you trust.Next
💡
Test your new knowledge: spot the red flags
Here are some things a business might do. Tap each button on the next slide to find out if it’s safe or risky.
Next
Has an ABN listed
Asks you to pay with a gift card
Has good reviews on Google
Won’t tell you where they’re based
Says you must pay now or miss out
Gives you an invoice with business name and ABN
Next
⚖️
Your legal rights explained
Even if a business turns out to be fake, you have rights and you may still have options.
You might be able to:
Next
If you’ve been impacted by a scam, you can ask a lawyer a question for free on Justice Connect Answers.
Click the blue link button below to ask your question and understand your legal rights and options today.
https://answers.justiceconnect.org.au
Next
🧠
Test your new knowledge: would you trust this business?
You’re thinking about buying a new phone online. The seller says you must pay today or the price goes up. They only take direct bank transfer. There are no reviews online.
Next
Next
🎉
Well done, you’re building strong skills!
You’ve learned how to:
Every time you practice these steps, you’ll feel more confident and in control.
Finish
Click the green link button below to keep exploring more resources on digital skills and your legal rights.
https://justiceconnect.org.au/resources
🚩
That's a red flag.
If this happens to you, take extra care.
That’s a good sign!
Well done.
That’s a good sign!
Well done.
🚩
That’s a red flag.
If this happens to you, take extra care.
🚩
That’s a red flag.
If this happens to you, take extra care.
That’s a good sign!
Well done.