In a market where "verified" has become a marketing buzzword, it pays to know what real verification looks like — and what shortcuts agencies use to appear thorough without doing the actual work.
5 signs of genuine verification
1. Aadhaar OTP confirmation
True Aadhaar verification is not just a photocopy check. It involves submitting the Aadhaar number to the UIDAI API and confirming it via OTP to the registered mobile. Any agency that only "checks the photocopy" is not verifying — they are just filing paper.
2. A police verification certificate
This is a physical document issued by the local police station confirming no criminal record. It should be dated within the last 12 months. Ask to see the original or a copy with the stamp and signature of the issuing officer.
3. At least two contactable references
Genuine references come with phone numbers you can call. If an agency cannot provide references, or if the references do not pick up or sound rehearsed, treat it as a warning sign.
4. A profile photograph taken by the agency
Platforms that conduct in-person verification will have their own current photograph of the helper on file. Self-submitted photos are not a verification step.
5. A documented work history
Verified platforms will have confirmed at least one previous employer, not just noted what the helper self-reported. Ask specifically: "Did you speak to the previous employer?"
3 red flags
1. "Aadhaar copy collected"
This means nothing beyond the fact that someone handed over a photocopy of their card. It confirms nothing about the person's actual identity or history.
2. Verification completed in under 24 hours
Police verification and reference checks take days, not hours. Any "instant" verification is almost certainly a paper exercise.
3. No written verification report
A reputable platform should be able to show you a verification summary — what was checked, when and by whom. If you are told "trust us, it's done," walk away.
