Where to check a company's validity?

[keepsingin]

Is there a place to check out the validity of a company? I'm guessing there has to be some official organization with which a company would have to be registered with?

I was interviewed (online) for a remote internship position by a company that provides financial services to startups, and they seemed very professional and legitimate. Their website lists their staff, LinkedIn profiles match the same information found on their site, and so forth. I had a really good vibe about the company until at the end of the interview, I was asked for my bank login information (username and password) "for documentation purposes" to set up direct deposit. Of course, I declined to give the information, and now I'm not sure what the deal is. Besides the fact that that's not the necessary info to set up direct deposit, it's just such a weird interview request. Any ideas on how to know for sure that it's legitimate?

[videogamesrock]

You can look up the company formation on the secretary of states website. Google "SOS and state name". Then business search. There are no safe guards set up preventing a fraudster from forming company - especially since most states hide officers personal info and most of the time don't request it.

[keepsingin]

Ok, so it's nowhere to be found on SOS, BBB, local chamber of commerce, etc. This "interview" lines up exactly with this sort of thing https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beware-sc...rles-abell
some of the wording and questions were exactly the same, although my experience did not have as obvious give-aways as the one in the article.

Now I'm very skeptical of all the other offers I've received, lol. What should I ask in the very beginning to ward off scammers but not blow away legitimate offers?

Edit: Is asking for Tax ID# or registration info right at the beginning too forthright to blow away a valid offer? Some of these companies cover their tracks so well that google searching isn't enough, they have reviews and they make sure none of their info conflicts.

[quigongene]

Most companies will want to meet you in person before offering a job. If that's off the table, it wouldn't pass the smell check for me.

[videogamesrock]

Most companies will want to meet you in person before offering a job. If that's off the table, it wouldn't pass the smell check for me.

I'd say that's still the norm for traditional jobs. I have hired contractors using thumbtack and have never spoken with them, but then again thumbtack has insurance and so does visa. Be careful as there are newer scams.

[sanantone]

I normally look at reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed for any red flags. You can also do a Google search for "XXX company complaints," "XXX company rip-off," or "XXX company scam."

[keepsingin]

I normally look at reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed for any red flags. You can also do a Google search for "XXX company complaints," "XXX company rip-off," or "XXX company scam."

Some of these scam job offers cover their tracks so well, they have like 2 or 3 Google search pages of junk about themselves, including Glassdoor, etc.

Thought I'd post this tidbit for good measure. I read it on LinkedIn, and found it true, that legitimate companies will NOT text you initially, they will email, and they will not "interview" over chat/hangout, they will interview over the phone. Another thing, if the company site is not secure (httpS vs. http) then it should be questioned. Of course, scams will also email, but they usually have other giveaways like spelling/grammar, giving multiple aliases in one email, ask to interview over chat, ask for sensitive information, etc.

Funny story, I had so many scammers contacting me in the last week, and one phishing "HR Coordinator" said he would report me to my school for trying to tarnish the company's reputation by saying it was a scam. 

[dfrecore]

A company will NEVER ask you for your bank login and password. EVER. Direct deposit is done using bank info off the bottom of your check (routing number and account number), never through a login of any kind.

I worked in payroll, this is a complete scam. Please never give anyone your login info.

[keepsingin]

A company will NEVER ask you for your bank login and password. EVER. Direct deposit is done using bank info off the bottom of your check (routing number and account number), never through a login of any kind.

I worked in payroll, this is a complete scam. Please never give anyone your login info.

You're quite right, I knew it was fishy, I got thrown off bc the scammer was masquerading behind a legit company, just added one letter on the end to make his own lookalike. I was more of a rookie than I realized when it comes to scammers. Wiser now!

[High_Order1]

Sorry,

Late to the party.

Echoing DFrecore, there is no reasonable need for your banking login. There are jobs that try to pry in a similar fashion with your social media, but to pay you all they need is the account and routing number of the institution you wish to receive the funds.