Hi everyone, I know what titles are OTB, but on chess.com are the people with titles like "IM" and "FM" masters in real life? As in, do you know if they need to upload proof that they're masters OTB, or if they just need a really high rating online.

To get the red title before your name, you must verify that you have, indeed, received the title.  Chess.com does not give out those titles. 

This is usually true. However, I know of one member who reached the FIDE rating needed for the Candidate Master title, but he did not become a Candidate Master as he was not prepared to pay the fee for it. However, chess.com still put a red "CM" next to his name.

The normal procedure is to provide "proof".

http://www.chess.com/members/submit_title_proof.html

It was either a mistake or someone decided a CM strength player without the piece of paper was enough for this site.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/kicked-from-live-chess2?page=2

Post #29