Because there are so few ways to verify these claims, consumers often need to decide between trusting everyone and trusting no one.

I would recommend taking three steps before hiring anyone found online:

1. Google them. Even through there's no way to guarantee that all or even any of the information found in a google search is accurate–after all, the same person who made up qualifications could have easily gone to several review sites and written praise under a variety of aliases–it's a good start, and you may find valuable information about them from trustworthy sources.

2. Call them. A faker may be able to make himself sound great in writing, but not be able keep up ruse in real time. A phone call will allow you to test how knowledgeable they sound.

3. Get the phone number of at least one former client you can call for a recommendation.

Even with all of these steps, there's no guarantee that a clever conman won't be able to fool you, but most of the fakers online aren't so clever and prepared–they're just trying to make themselves sound more experienced than they are, and this attempt will fall apart under too much scrutinizing.