Have you been offered a really good opportunity, but are not sure whether it's honest or not? There are some simple ways to tell the difference between a legitimate offer and a scam.

Steps

1. Take a careful look at the offer. Ask for a copy of the contract if one is available (most legitimate companies will offer a copy on their website where you can download and print it).
2. Read through the contract, making notes of things that don't seem quite right to you. Highlight parts of it for future reference. Don't worry if you can't put your finger on the reason why something isn't right, just highlight what makes you suspicious.
3. Do some research about the company. If it's a new company, be suspicious. Go to it's website. If there are ads and things on the page this suggests the company isn't making enough money to buy a domain name and support it without ads. Be suspicious of ad-riddled pages or a sloppily-designed site.
4. Ask if they have any brochures, etc, for the company. If they do, this is a good sign.
5. Ask people you know in the industry what they think of the offer. They might know if it sounds legit or not.
6. Go back to the contract you reviewed and do some research about the specific sections that made you nervous. Talk to the company about these sections. They should be business-like, and professional. If you feel like they are trying to sweet-talk you be extremely wary.
7. If you feel it is necessary, talk to a contract lawyer or a friend experienced in this area.
8. Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau (or the equivalent consumer protection agency in your country).

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