Does this sound familiar?
Recently, a friend of yours told you about what seems to be a great investment opportunity. He had been approached about a start-up company that was going to pool their money and purchase a piece of real estate. The real estate brokerage firm was one that you had never heard of. Still, the opportunity sounded too good to pass up. You would like to know more about the brokerage firm and the history of the property. It seems too good to be true. Is this a scam?
This kind of scam happens often. Now, more than ever, it is easy to set up a business that is just a front for a scam. The con artist can simply buy a degree or professional license over the Internet, making him "qualified" to take your money. It's not just real estate brokers either. Phony doctors, lawyers, insurance agents, and accountants are ready to accept your business. Let 123Pi help you figure out who is real and who is not.
Here are some tips for avoiding business scams:
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Research the business thoroughly. |
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Ask for at least three references of people that they have worked with. |
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Be cautious of any company that asks for money to make money. |
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Get specific information from the company such as how long they have been in business, where they are located, how many customers they have, etc. |
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Don't sign anything too quickly. |
With a proper background check from 123Pi, you will be certain that the company you are about to do business with is properly licensed and reputable.
Copyright © The Castle Branch Investigative Group, Inc. 2002