How to Identify a Legit Company and Avoid Fake Job Scams

As a fresher, if you are not careful while applying for jobs, there is a high chance you might get scammed.

Yesterday, someone messaged me asking how can I know if a company is real or fake?

This problem is very common. You apply for jobs, you get a reply, and then things start feeling odd. Some companies ask for money for training or onboarding. Some promise big salaries without any proper interview. Some disappear after collecting documents or fees. Many freshers go through this and feel lost, scared, or even embarrassed.

I am writing this from my experience as the founder of Fueler, a portfolio platform that helps companies hire through assignments and proof of work. Over the years, I have worked closely with hiring managers, startups, and candidates. I have seen both genuine companies and fake ones. Spotting the difference early can save you a lot of time, money, and mental stress.

Let me share three simple ways to detect a legit company and avoid fake ones:

Start With Their Social Media Presence

The first thing I always suggest is checking the company’s social media pages. This is the easiest and fastest step.

A real company usually has an active presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. You will see regular posts, updates about their product, team photos, hiring announcements, or customer stories. The content may not be perfect, but it will feel real and consistent.

Fake companies often have no social media at all or very inactive pages. Sometimes they create pages just a few days before contacting candidates. If you see very few followers, no engagement, or copied content, consider it a red flag.

Social media tells you a lot about how seriously a company exists in the real world.

Research the Founders and Team Members

Every legit company has real people behind it. Founders, directors, or core team members are usually visible online.

Go to LinkedIn and search for the founders. Check where they have worked before, how long they have been active, and what kind of content they share. A genuine founder usually has a clear career history and some form of professional network.

Also look at other team members. If a company claims to have a team but you cannot find a single employee online, be careful. If the profiles look fake, newly created, or have no activity at all, avoid moving forward.

In real companies, people are proud of their work and often talk about it online.

Understand the Company Website and Product

A company’s website is its digital home. Spend time exploring it.

Try to understand what the company actually does. What product or service are they building? Who are their customers? What problem are they solving?

If you cannot clearly explain what the company does even after reading their website, that is a warning sign. Many fake companies use fancy words but say nothing meaningful.

Also check basic things like proper domain name, working pages, contact details, and clear information. A legit company may not have a perfect website, but it will make sense.

This step helps you in another way too. If you understand the product and industry, you will perform better in interviews and at work.

Be Careful If Money Is Asked From You

This is very important. A genuine company will never ask you for money to offer you a job. This includes fees for registration, training, software, certificates, or onboarding.

If a company asks you to pay first and promises a job later, walk away immediately. No matter how attractive the offer sounds, it is not worth the risk. Real companies pay employees. They do not charge them.

Use Proof of Work as Your Shield

One reason we built Fueler is to reduce such risks for candidates. When companies hire through assignments and proof of work, things become more transparent.

Legit companies care about what you can do, not how much money you can pay. They evaluate your skills through real tasks, not fake promises.

Over time, learning how to evaluate companies becomes a skill. The more you research, the better your judgment gets. This habit compounds and helps you throughout your career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can freshers check if a company is legit?

Freshers should check the company’s website, social media activity, founders’ LinkedIn profiles, and employee presence online. If the company has real people, clear information, and no payment demands, it is usually legit.

What are common signs of a fake job offer?

Fake job offers often promise very high salaries, skip proper interviews, ask for money, use personal email IDs, or create urgency to force quick decisions. These are strong warning signs.

Is asking for training fees a red flag?

Yes. Legit companies do not ask candidates to pay for training, onboarding, or job confirmation. Any request for money is a major red flag.

Why is LinkedIn important to verify companies?

LinkedIn helps you see real employees, founders, company history, and activity. A strong LinkedIn presence adds credibility and trust to a company.

How does assignment based hiring reduce scams?

Assignment based hiring focuses on skills and real work instead of payments or fake promises. It allows candidates and companies to build trust through actual output, making scams much harder.

Staying alert and doing basic checks can protect your career early on. Always remember, a job should add value to your life, not take money away from it.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.