Short answer: before you hire or pay a company, confirm three things: that it legally exists (official company registry or trade license), that the people you are talking to really represent it, and that the agreement and payment method protect you. The eight checks below take less than an hour and work whether the provider is in the USA, the UAE, Panama or Qatar.
1. Confirm the company in the official registry
Every country keeps an official record of registered companies. In the USA, each state has a business entity search, usually run by the Secretary of State. In the UAE, companies operate with a trade license issued by an economic department or a free zone authority, and you can ask for the license and check it with the issuer. In Panama, companies are recorded in the Registro Público. In Qatar, companies hold a commercial registration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Check that the name, status and registration number match what the provider gave you.
2. Check that the license covers the service
A company can be real but licensed for a different activity. Ask which activity its license or registration covers and whether the service you need is included, especially for regulated work such as real estate, legal, medical, construction or financial services.
3. Verify the address and the people
Look up the address on a map and, if you can, visit or ask for a short video call from the office. Ask for the full name and role of the person you deal with, and check that their email uses the company’s own domain.
4. Read reviews — carefully
Look at reviews on several platforms, not just one. Pay attention to how the company answers complaints. Be cautious with profiles that have only very recent, very similar five-star reviews.
5. Ask for references from similar clients
A good provider can put you in touch with one or two clients who had a similar project. Ask them what went well, what did not and whether they would hire the company again.
6. Compare at least three written quotes
Ask each provider for a written quote with the scope, timeline, what is not included and the payment schedule. Very low prices are not always a bargain: check what is missing.
7. Put everything in a written agreement
Before work starts, agree in writing on the scope, deliverables, deadlines, price, who owns the results and how to cancel. For important contracts, have a qualified lawyer review the agreement in the country where it will apply.
8. Pay safely and step by step
Prefer traceable payment methods in the company’s name, never a personal account you were not expecting. For larger projects, pay in stages linked to delivered work, and keep every invoice and receipt.
Red flags
- Pressure to pay today or to pay into a personal account.
- No physical address, or an address that does not match the license.
- Refusal to put the offer in writing.
- Contact only through a mobile number, with no company email or website.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a company in Dubai is licensed?
Ask for a copy of its trade license and confirm it with the authority that issued it (an economic department or a free zone). Check that the license name and activity match the service.
Can I check a Panamanian company online?
Panamanian companies are recorded in the Registro Público de Panamá. If you are unsure how to read the record, ask a local lawyer to review it.
What should I check before hiring a contractor in the USA?
Confirm the business in the state’s business entity search, ask whether the trade requires a state or local license, read reviews and get a written contract.
Does a listing in a directory mean a company is verified?
Not by itself. A directory helps you find and compare companies; always complete the checks in this guide before you sign or pay.
Find and compare companies on CanalMarket Business
Use CanalMarket Business to find companies in the USA, the UAE, Panama and Qatar, compare their listings and contact them directly. Need help with a contract or a company in Panama? See our legal services. If you are a provider, add your business with complete, verifiable details, or see our plans. Questions? Click “Chat with Daniel” to ask our AI assistant, contact us or write on WhatsApp.
