Tips for Avoiding the Scams for Bookkeeping in Seattle

You’ve decided on hiring a professional for your bookkeeping in Seattle. This is an excellent decision for a variety of reasons. However, when you do hire someone, you need to make sure they’re everything they say they are. There are far too many scammers out there.

Some scammers will wait for you to find them. Others will call you. Here are the top tips for avoiding scammers and finding only the best bookkeepers for your needs.

Check Up on the Company Through the Better Business Bureau

One of the best things you can do is check with the Better Business Bureau. Any bookkeeper worth hiring will be connected to the BBB and have reviews posted about them. If there’s nothing there, then you’ll want to tread carefully.

You can also check up on third-party review sites. If people have been scammed by the people you’re looking to hire for bookkeeping in Seattle, they will have said something about it. They may have put a review up on Google, Yelp, or other sources. A major scammer will also have blog posts written about them.

Do your research. Yes, it will take time but you’ll find someone who is going to do the best job for your financial needs.

Ask for Specifics

If you get a gut feeling that the company isn’t quite telling the truth, you can ask for specific information. Ask for federal tax identification numbers and information that only the company should know.

You’ll then want to verify that information. If they’ve called you, do a search for the company that the bookkeepers claim to be. This will immediately help you figure things out.

If you’ve called the company, there are other steps you can take. It will depend on how you found the number though.

Check the Website

There are high chances that you found someone for bookkeeping in Seattle via the internet. You’ll go to a webpage to get a phone number or other contact information. Make sure you check over the webpage.

If you did a Google search, there are high chances the site that you find is a legitimate one. If you went through Facebook or another social media, you’ll want to check the URL. Does it match the company name? Does it have the “https” instead of just “http?” These are all signs that you’ve found a legitimate source.

When someone has called you, go to the website of the company that the person has claimed to be. Check out the About page and information on the directors. This will give you an idea of whether it’s a legitimate company or not.

Ask for Recommendations

One of the best things you can do to avoid the scammers is by asking for recommendations for bookkeeping in Seattle. Talk to your friends or those you’ve worked in business with.

Sometimes, you won’t get recommendations for who to choose but you will get recommendations for who to avoid. This can also open up discussions about any scam calls.

Do your due diligence when hiring someone for bookkeeping in Seattle. This will help keep your business finances stress free.