Who Are You Dealing With? – July 9, 2015
We hear about scams and ripoffs all the time.
And so often, we think “That could never happen to me.”
But the reality is that it can (and does) happen to anyone.
Are you taking on a new client, getting involved in a new investment, partnering on a new venture?
How do you know who you are actually dealing with?
A little due diligence may save you a lot of time, money, and stress down the road.
A litigation search may turn up previous actions the person/organization has been involved in, which can provide clues to their character.
A lien or judgement search may turn up debts and actions that have not been disclosed.
A criminal records search may turn up unsavory conduct that the party is or has been involved in.
A title search may turn up that the big, flashy house is either rented or mortgaged to excess.
A simple Google Search may turn up articles, posts, comments – all providing an indication of what kind of person or organization you are dealing with.
Check out this example – a lot of smart people were taken for a lot of money.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_%22Mouli%22_Cohen
Whether you are dealing with a local, national, or international entity, these kinds of searches can be invaluable in giving you a peek into who or what you are dealing with.
Moral of the story – do not shy away from opportunities – just know who you are dealing with.