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People on your doorstep wanting you to sign a contract in order for you to get an inheritance. What to do: Take your time, check out the credentials of this person, remember that there is never any hurry in such a matter and if someone tells you there is, Watch Out! And, see your lawyer, ask his/her advice. If the person on your doorstep discourages you from taking your time and talking to your lawyer, Beware. |
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Anyone who wants money (or a credit card number) "up front" or before you actually receive something. That's a red flag. Call your attorney and the Better Business Bureau. But never, never give anyone money up front. Let them earn it first! |
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Letters that want a small sum (say, $25) to tell you the whereabouts of an estate that is "unclaimed" and where the decedent has the same last name as yours. Bad deal. File in circular file. Know it's a hoax. |
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Anyone who ever, in any way, discourages you from seeing your attorney, or from seeking the advice of any person you trust, or who doesn't want a lot of "unnecessary witnesses" cluttering up your living room. |
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Any contract or agreement that does not specifically state the amount (even if only an approximation) of the money you are to receive. Percentage based fee agreements are fine, but a percentage of what? A thousand dollars? A million? You need to know. You have a right to know. |
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References about a company that are actually solicited testimonials or just three or four "happy customers". A solid company with a long track record should be able to provide hundreds of references. And they should be from people who have not been asked to act as references. It does make a difference. Ask for references from people in your city or your part of the country. |
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Anyone who tells you that all "heir finders" are up to no good or that you do not need their services because "the state provided this service for free." Poppycock. It is true that each state maintains a fund of unclaimed money and you have every right to it. The states, however, find only about 20% of the missing and unknown owners. While our company does not actively work to find owners of money held by the states, it does happen that money will escheat (revert to the state) while we are working on a case. If you want to check it out yourself, please do so. |
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Late night "infomercials" offering to get you into the business of locating missing heirs...Bad deal. If it were a good deal, the guy wouldn't be selling you the information. |
