How to Identify a Scam and What to Do When You've Been Scammed

Exposing scammers is one of the many things we do at TrustDALE. We don't want any of you to lose your hard-earned money to a scammer, fraudster, con artist, or jerk.

However, anyone can become a scam victim. Read on for some common signs of a scam, and what you can do about it.

Is It A Scam?

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. That’s the first sign that something may be off. Now think about how you arranged the service and came to a price. Was the negotiation fair and transparent? That means there should be no surprises. 

Then think about some of the basics of good business practices. Did you meet the contractor in person? Does the business have a findable office? Take a look at online reviews. No one is perfect, but if you’re seeing multiple complaints and red flags, especially about the same thing, take note. 

What Can You Do?

So what can you do if you have fallen victim to a scam? While you may be out for revenge, the contractor probably knew they were committing a crime and thus they’re prepared to cover their tracks or disappear. 

You can try bringing a suit in small claims court, but often a company can avoid going to court. And even if you do get them to court and win a judgment, you may never have any success recouping your money. Plus you’ll be stuck with legal fees! If you can get in touch with a company’s legal counsel, then it might be worthwhile to hire an attorney and file a suit. 

What you CAN and should do, is tell people about your experience. Share it on social media. The more people who know about the scheme, the less likely it is to work. And the scammer may even get caught. 

How To Avoid a Scam

To avoid a run-in with an untrustworthy contractor looking to scam you out of your hard-earned cash, do your research. TrustDALE created a transparent 

seven-point investigative process

 to eliminate bad choices and confirm selected and vetted companies you can trust and rely on. And when you use a company that’s been vetted by TrustDALE, we will safeguard your investment with our exclusive $10,000 Make It Right Guarantee!