When it comes to our hard-earned money, we want to be sure that we are investing in a legitimate business. Unfortunately, there are many scams out there, and it can be challenging to determine which businesses are reputable and which ones aren’t.
You see all of these faces wearing a nice suit and sporting their pearly white teeth like Bart Peterschick, but you don’t know, so of course, your guard would be up, right?
That premise is precisely why we will give you some tips for spotting a legitimate business for free. Let’s get right to it.
Check Out Their Website
The website is the first point of contact that you will have with the business, so it should give you a good idea of what they are all about. A legitimate company will have a professional-looking website that is up-to-date and informative. The website should also be easy to navigate and contain clear contact information. If the website is poorly designed or difficult to navigate, that is a red flag. Another thing to look for is customer testimonials or reviews.
A legitimate business will usually have positive customer reviews that you can read through to get an idea of the quality of their products or services.
Do Your Research
Before doing business with any company, it is essential to do your research. This includes reading reviews, checking out the Better Business Bureau, and searching for any complaints that have been filed against the company. You can also search for the business on social media to see what others are saying about them because real and honest testimonials are valuable. A quick Google search can also turn up some useful information about the company.
Ask for Their Information
Scammers typically won’t dox themselves, and faux businesses generally won’t even have a physical office address, so this is an excellent way to weed out the illegitimate ones. When you contact the company, ask for their full name, address, and phone number. If they are unwilling or unable to provide this information, that is a major red flag. A legitimate business will have no problem giving you their full contact information because they want you to invest trust in them. You can go visit or call the property owner to know if there really is a business renting the place.
Inquire From Their Past Clients
If you know someone who has done business with the company before, ask them about their experience. This will give you some insight into what it is like to work with the company and whether or not they are legitimate. You can also try to find out if the company is a member of any professional organizations. These organizations typically have strict requirements for membership, so it is an excellent way to weed out businesses that are not legitimate.
Hopefully, these tips will help you spot a legitimate business to avoid being scammed. Remember to do your research and always be cautious when doing business with new companies. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your gut, and you will succeed.