Bankruptcy Scams vs. Legitimate Legal Help: How to Tell the Difference
If you are considering bankruptcy, it means that you are experiencing a challenging financial situation that can leave you more vulnerable to related scams. When you run across a national bankruptcy company that makes all kinds of promises, you may be very tempted to click the link. In the end, however, protecting your rights is key, which makes it important to know the red flags that tend to mean a scam.
The best way to protect your best interests is by consulting with an experienced Florence bankruptcy attorney at Reed Law Firm, P.A., from the start.
You Can Trust a Local Firm to Focus on Your Unique Case
National bankruptcy companies are far more likely to be full-on scams or to offer less than adequate services than local providers. When it comes to resolving your financial concerns through bankruptcy, it is always in your best interest to work closely with a well-respected local bankruptcy lawyer.
Familiarize Yourself with the Signals that the Offer May Be a Scam
Every outright bankruptcy scam out there puts its own spin on things, but they generally turn to the same basic tactics.
Flat-Payment Offers that Seem Too Good to Be True
Many of the bankruptcy mills out there offer flat rates that sound too good to be true. If this is what you’re looking at, keep the adage of “you get what you pay for” in mind. An offer that strikes you as being very inexpensive is letting you know that the company’s services are not everything they should be. And it may signal a scam.
Implementing an Unusual Payment Method
If the offer in question requires payment in an unusual form, such as any of the following, it’s almost certainly a scam:
- Wire transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- Prepaid debit card
- Gift cards
- Venmo or PayPal
These are even more concerning when the involved fees are upfront. If the payment method, payment requirements, or both strike you as odd, it’s time to walk away.
Contact that You Didn’t Instigate
If you click on a national bankruptcy company, you should expect them to contact you. In fact, they may contact you over and over again, with the goal of convincing you that you need their services. If, however, you hear from a bankruptcy company that you didn’t contact first, the chance that it’s a scam increases.
A Promise of Near-Immediate Results
Bankruptcy is a challenging legal process that takes a significant amount of time to successfully resolve. If the company contacting you promises speedy results, it’s a red flag. If they are not perpetrating a scam, they are, at the very least, sharing false information.
You Need an Experienced Florence Bankruptcy Lawyer on Your Side
At Reed Law Firm, P.A., our compassionate Florence bankruptcy attorneys recognize the importance of resolving your bankruptcy case effectively and efficiently, and we will leave no stone unturned on your behalf. Ultimately, the national companies can’t provide you with the same level of financial protection, and we encourage you to reach out for more information by contacting us online or giving us a call at 843-679-0077 today.
