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When dealing with a company, one essential question to ask is: "Is this business legitimate?" Unfortunately, scams and fraudulent entities do exist, and many people have fallen victim to deceptive practices. Verifying a company's legitimacy is a crucial precaution to protect yourself from suspicious offers or "too good to be true" deals. Illegitimate companies often commit fraud and disappear without a trace, leaving victims with financial losses and no legal recourse.
Initial Steps to Verify a Company
Before entering into any business relationship, there are a few simple checks you can do using the basic information you already have about the company:
- Call the company directly to confirm their operations and contact details.
- Visit their physical office if the address is provided — a legitimate company will have a verifiable business location.
Trade License Verification
Every registered business in the UAE is legally required to hold a trade license issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or a relevant Free Zone authority.
You can:
- Request a copy of their trade license directly from the company.
- Verify the license online through official DED websites.
Trade licenses are public documents, not confidential ones — they must be displayed in all business premises. A genuine company should have no issue providing a copy of its license or license number for verification.
Note: Scammers often provide fake or invalid registration numbers. Always cross-check these details with official records to confirm authenticity.
Practical Ways to Verify Business Legitimacy
You don't need to be an investigator to confirm whether a company really exists. Here are a few reliable methods to verify UAE-registered businesses:
1. Check Their Business License
- Request the company's trade license and verify it through official government platforms.
- A valid license includes the company name, address, registration number, license number, and the name of the manager, all non-confidential details.
- If a company refuses to provide this information, consider it a red flag.
2. Contact the Free Zone Authority (if applicable)
- For companies registered in UAE Free Zones, online verification may not always be available.
- Contact the respective Free Zone's registry via email or visit their office to confirm if the license is active and valid.
3. Request a Certificate of Good Standing
This certificate, issued by local authorities, confirms that a company is in good legal standing, has paid all fees, and is authorized to operate in the UAE.
4. Check Their Online Presence
- Look for official social media profiles (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) and company websites.
- Verify if the company's employees are listed on professional platforms like LinkedIn.
5. Search Online Reviews and Forums
- Use Google to check for reviews, testimonials, or discussions related to the company.
- If the company has been involved in scams or disputes, you'll likely find online evidence.
6. Consult Government Portals
You can verify company details through official government and Free Zone portals such as the DED, National Economic Register, and Free Zone directories.
Useful Links to Check Business Authenticity
Below are some verified sources you can use to confirm whether a company is registered in the UAE:
- For Dubai companies: Dubai DED – Search License Information
- For Sharjah companies: Sharjah Economic Development Department
- For Abu Dhabi companies: Abu Dhabi Business Center
- National Economic Register (for all Emirates): Stop worrying about the paperwork. Tasreea is your trusted consulting partner
If you only have the company name, you can use the National Economic Register to check if it exists and is active.
Free Zone Company Directories
You can also verify Free Zone companies directly through their respective portals. Below are some major Free Zone directories in the UAE:
- DWC Free Zone
- D3 Free Zone
- DIFC Free Zone
- DIC Free Zone
- DMC Free Zone
- DMCC Free Zone
- AMCFZ Free Zone
- Fujairah Creative City FZ
- Fujairah Free Zone
- HFZA Free Zone
- SAIF ZONE
- SHAMS Free Zone
- ADGM Free Zone
Final Advice
Always take these precautionary measures before committing to any business arrangement. Verifying that a company exists and is legally registered in the UAE will help protect you from financial and legal troubles later on.
Need Professional Help?
If you'd like expert assistance in confirming whether a company in the UAE, including Dubai or Abu Dhabi, truly exists, we offer a business verification service to help you ensure your potential partner is legitimate and fully registered.
