Quick answer
Before you pay a deposit or hand over documents, spend five minutes checking that a business is real and trading. Confirm its contact details, look it up in the official registers that apply to its trade, and read recent independent reviews.
No single check proves a business is trustworthy, but several small checks together make it much harder for a fake or fly-by-night operator to get past you.
Step-by-step guidance
- Phone the number on the listing and ask for the business by name. A real business answers in its own name and can tell you its physical address.
- Search the company name on the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) website to see whether it is a registered company and whether its registration is active.
- If the trade is regulated, check the professional body: the HPCSA for doctors and dentists, the Legal Practice Council for attorneys, PSIRA for security companies, the PIRB for plumbers and the NHBRC for new home builders.
- Read recent reviews on more than one platform, and look for detailed reviews rather than a handful of five-star ratings posted on the same day.
- Visit the address on Google Maps Street View or in person to see whether the premises match what the business claims.
What to check
- A landline or a consistent mobile number that has been used for some time
- A physical address, not only a PO box or a WhatsApp number
- A written quote on a letterhead showing the company registration number and, where relevant, a VAT number
- Proof of registration with the relevant professional body for regulated trades
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying a large deposit in cash before any work starts
- Relying only on a social media page or a single glowing review
- Accepting a quote that is far below every other quote without asking why
- Skipping the registration check because the business seems friendly and responsive
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This guide gives general information only. Rules, fees and requirements can change, so confirm details with the provider or the relevant authority. NearMe is an independent directory, not the provider.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a company is registered in South Africa?
Search the company name or registration number on the CIPC website. It shows whether the company exists and whether its status is active.
Is a business with good reviews always legitimate?
Not always. Reviews can be bought or copied. Combine reviews with a phone call, an address check and, for regulated trades, a registration check.
Does NearMe verify the businesses it lists?
No. NearMe lists businesses from the open Overture Maps Places dataset and is not the provider, so please confirm details directly with the business.