To get you started, here are some general rules that will start you on your way to guarding your identity:

Check the company’s contact information and Web site.This can be done by checking the address and telephone number the company has provided and making sure the Web site is operating.

An applicant should verify that a company is legitimate before continuing with the application or purchase for any kind of business.

Watch for indications that the advertisement or job offer is bogus. Many online schemes contain misspellings and bad grammar.

A company using an e-mail address that is not affiliated with the company’s domain name can be an indication of potential fraud.

If the company has a registered domain for their website then for sure they have email accounts that should be associated with the name of the company.

It is normal that a company insists on the Payment before processing an application so before releasing your information , the applicant should research the company independently to verify its legitimacy to be sure that the company is a solid and valid entity.

When giving payment information by phone ,fax or internet, always ask when will you receive product and how will it be shipped to you if the company or persons cannot give you this information then do not disclose your information to them.

All companies can always provide you with the length of time it takes to ship you the merchandise and which method of delivery service they use.

You should always make sure that the call is recorded for Quality Assurance and Protection when you are giving any company your personal information as a form of payment {as you may have noticed most major service providers always advise you that the calls are being recorded} this is an added feature that major companies do to make sure that their rights and the rights of their clients are protected.

A legitimate overseas company should have the resources to conduct business in the United States without using a privately held bank account.

Overseas companies also have proven to be very hard to investigate and prosecute.

Be cautious of job postings from overseas employers.