How to Verify a Business Before You Trust Them

The Rise of Online Scams and Fake Listings

As more businesses move online, the risk of encountering fraudulent listings, fake service providers, and dishonest traders has grown significantly. A phone number that goes to a scammer. An address that does not exist. A "doctor" who has no medical training.

Knowing how to verify a business before you trust them — especially before making any payment — is an essential skill.

Step 1: Check the Verification Status

On SearchByNear, every profile displays a verification status. Look for these badges:

Verified — the highest level. This business has completed KYC or business verification with official documents

Claimed — the owner has verified the phone number and is actively managing the profile

Listed — the profile exists but has not been claimed or verified

Always prefer a Verified or Claimed profile when choosing a service provider.

Step 2: Look at the Trust Score

Every profile has a Trust Score out of 100. This score is built from:

Mobile OTP verification (phone confirmed)

Email verification (email confirmed)

KYC verification (ID document verified)

Business verification (trade licence and bank certificate verified)

A trust score of 70 or above means the business has completed most verification steps. A score of 0 means the listing is unclaimed and unverified — proceed with extra caution.

Step 3: Check the Full Address

A legitimate business has a real, specific address — not just "Dhaka" or "Chittagong". Look for:

Village or road name

Upazila

District

Division

If the address is vague or missing, ask the business for their full physical address before committing. You can verify the location using Google Maps (linked directly from the profile).

Step 4: Call Before You Visit

Always call the listed phone number before travelling to the location. A real business will answer and be able to confirm:

Their services and pricing

Their physical address

Their opening hours

If the number is disconnected, goes to voicemail repeatedly, or the person who answers cannot answer basic questions about the business, treat this as a red flag.

Step 5: Search the Business Name Online

Before contacting a business, do a quick search for the business name. Look for:

Any news reports or complaints

Their presence on other platforms (Facebook, other directories)

Consistency of information (same address, same phone number, same name)

Inconsistencies across platforms are a warning sign.

Step 6: Report Incorrect Information

If you find that a profile on SearchByNear has incorrect, misleading, or fake information, use the "Report this profile" link at the bottom of the profile page. The SearchByNear team reviews all reports and takes action against fraudulent listings.

Conclusion

Verifying a business before you trust them is not paranoia — it is common sense. Look for verification badges, check the trust score, confirm the address, and call before you visit. These simple steps protect you from fake listings and help you find reliable, trustworthy service providers every time.