In the modern era, the professional handshake has been replaced by a digital connection, creating a global web of opportunity—and a new frontier for fraud.
As professionals, we’re constantly interacting with new contacts whose digital footprint is our only lead.
This shift requires a new level of vigilance, as a polished online profile can easily conceal a multitude of risks.
So, what’s the playbook for building trust and protecting your business in this digital-first world?
This BoostMyDomain article synthesizes a wealth of insights from a diverse panel of experts, including private investigators, CEOs, and consultants.
They share their proven strategies for spotting red flags, vetting online contacts, and ensuring every digital partnership is rooted in verifiable trust, not just a convincing facade.
Read on!
Catch Digital Catfish Before it Hooks You
Catch the Digital Catfish Before It Hooks You!
I always raise the alarm when a so-called “founder” has no digital footprint.
A dormant LinkedIn, a nebulous company website, no press or client history.
If they are rushing to deflect the conversation away from accepted professional platforms, if they shy away from video calls, my instinct tells me they could be hiding something of extreme importance.
Financial offers thrown at you, which usually seem out-of-the-ballpark generous, and they come even before any small shred of trust is dispensed, that’s another big red flag!
I run reverse image searches in dark corners of the web, cross back into LinkedIn, checking if testimonials or team members are even real.
Many catfish like to imitate legitimate brands; where possible, I check domains in WHOIS data and confirm their business registration.
To sum up: If anything makes you feel hurried or uncomfortable, hit the brakes and check everything twice.
Anatolii Ulitovskyi
Founder, UNmiss
Too Polished is a Major Red Flag
Go ahead and perform a “too polished” test.
If a profile leaves no room for suspicion, no spelling mistakes, no gaps in their timeline, no imprints of activity on the ground, real or otherwise, stop right there.
If the real world will stand as witness, it actually gets its dirty fingerprints on everything. A spread of messy breadcrumbs.
Watch for rapid intimacy in communication, vague company associates, evasion to jump on a video call, or little else than lonely LinkedIn profiles with few mutuals or very little activity.
Another unfortunate huge red flag is payment requests or pulls for contracts, lacking any context or prior reference checks.
Another red flag for us is when someone refuses to clear basic verification steps, whether it be not using their corporate email or providing a business registration number.
Diana Babaeva
Founder & CEO, Twistly
Avoids Calls? Verify Mismatched Information
A single indicator I do not dismiss is when a person will not take the phone or video call and wants to communicate with the use of email only, especially when it is a quick decision that they desire.
Mismatched business information such as a personal email address with a big company name or ambiguous contact information is another red flag. Based on my experience, the bona fide partners are open and readily checkable either by examining the official record or by getting in touch with the organization itself.
I am also one who verifies the company domains, registration and certification of the business before proceeding.
Here, having a healthy level of skepticism and a better filter are the best things to safeguard your credibility and data.
Gene Genin
CEO & Founding Partner, OEM Source
Avoids Video Calls? That's a Red Flag
In the gaming industry, where remote partnerships are standard, I’ve learned that the biggest red flag is when potential business contacts consistently avoid video calls or real-time verification.
We once nearly entered a licensing deal with a “studio” that provided impressive portfolios and references, but always had excuses for video meetings—”bad connection,” “camera broken,” “traveling.”
When we insisted on video verification before signing contracts, they disappeared entirely. Later investigation revealed stolen portfolio work and fake LinkedIn profiles.
Now we require video verification within the first two interactions for any significant business relationship. Legitimate professionals understand this need in today’s digital landscape. If someone can’t accommodate a brief video call after multiple requests, that’s an immediate disqualification.
Trust but verify isn’t just good advice—it’s essential survival in digital business.
Digital Catfishing: Spot Inconsistent Stories
In today’s digital world, catfishing has changed. It’s not just about fake profiles anymore; people are using AI to create whole new identities with deepfakes.
A big warning sign is when someone’s story doesn’t line up across different sites. If their LinkedIn doesn’t match what they say in emails or their actual work history, it’s worth checking them out more closely.
Another red flag is someone dodging video calls.
Most real professionals are fine with a face-to-face chat when something important is on the line. Also, keep an eye out for bios that sound too good to be true, job titles that don’t really mean anything, or any rush to get you to pay or partner up.
At AskZyro, we’ve got AI tools that check profile info and spot strange activity to help lower the risk of fraud. Still, the best thing you can do is think for yourself—trust, but always double-check.
James Allsopp
Founder, Ask Zyro
Vague Claims and No Video: Scam
After building marketing campaigns for 8+ years, I’ve noticed digital scammers often create elaborate fake personas using stolen credentials.
The biggest red flag is when someone claims expertise but can’t explain their methods clearly – just like the SEO charlatans I write about who use “mysterious methods” to mask their incompetence.
I had a hair restoration clinic client almost get burned by a “digital marketing expert” who promised 500% ROI overnight. When we dug deeper, the person’s LinkedIn had zero actual work samples and kept deflecting technical questions about their strategies.
Vague contract terms are another massive warning sign. Legitimate professionals provide crystal-clear deliverables and timelines upfront – not murky agreements that leave wiggle room for disappointment.
The golden rule I follow: if someone pressures you for immediate payment or won’t hop on a video call to discuss your project face-to-face, run.
Real businesses like mine offer consultation calls specifically to build trust before any money changes hands.
Jeff Ryder
Founder, Spotlight Media 360
Verify, Don't Trust: Spotting Digital Scams
In digital business dealings, a primary red flag is a lack of verifiable online presence or inconsistent information from new contacts.
When approached for large custom flag orders or by new suppliers, I always confirm their official website, professional email, and genuine reviews.
Another critical warning sign is unusual payment requests. For instance, if a new “business, school, or organization” seeking custom flags or large-scale flagpole installations pushes for unconventional payment methods like crypto or gift cards, or insists on significant upfront payments without proper documentation, that’s an immediate stop.
My experience with “top manufacturers” has taught me that legitimate partners operate transparently.
Finally, be wary of offers that seem “too good to be true,” particularly with pricing.
While Heartland Flags offers “competitive prices,” excessively low quotes from unknown sources for items like military or holiday flags can indicate a scam.
Kevin Kommes
Owner & Operator, Heartland Flags
Visible Cameras Prevent Fraudulent Claims
In 20+ years running Security Camera King, I’ve seen countless businesses fall victim to fraudulent claims that could devastate their operations.
The biggest red flag I watch for is when someone refuses video verification of their incident claims – legitimate customers welcome camera footage as evidence.
We’ve helped thousands of businesses document fraudulent slip-and-fall claims, workplace incidents, and theft allegations through our surveillance systems. The pattern is always the same: scammers target businesses without visible security coverage, assuming there’s no evidence to contradict their story.
My strongest advice is implementing high-profile camera systems in general access areas. We’ve found that visible surveillance prevents 80% of fraudulent incidents from even being attempted, while hidden cameras catch the remaining 20% who try anyway.
The investment in proper security documentation pays for itself the first time you avoid a false lawsuit.
Every business owner should assume they’re a target until they have comprehensive video coverage proving otherwise.
Brad Besner
Founder & President, Security Camera King
Artificial Urgency is A Scammer's Red Flag
After managing over 2500 WordPress websites at wpONcall, I’ve seen legitimate businesses get targeted by sophisticated scammers posing as clients.
The biggest red flag is pressure for immediate access without proper verification.
Last year, someone contacted us claiming urgent malware removal was needed for their “company website.” They pushed for admin credentials within hours and offered to pay triple our rates upfront.
Real business owners understand security protocols take time – scammers create artificial urgency.
I now require video calls for new clients requesting expedited service. In 15 years of web development, genuine clients appreciate security measures while catfishers vanish when asked to verify their identity face-to-face.
The 30-minute support limit we enforce per request also helps expose fraudulent activity.
Legitimate businesses have specific, defined problems. Scammers often make vague, time-consuming requests that exceed normal maintenance boundaries.
Kevin Gallagher
Founder, wpONcall
On behalf of the BoostMyDomain community of readers, we thank these leaders and experts for taking the time to share valuable insights that stem from years of experience and in-depth expertise in their respective niches.
BoostMyDomain invites you to share your insights and contribute to our authoritative publication. Reach a wider audience, build your credibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in an industry that caters to every business with an online presence!
