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273 points aaln | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.21s | source
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trollbridge ◴[] No.42156104[source]
A side business I have is people who contact me because they just got scammed or need help knowing if something is a scam.

One of the things I tell them is to never upload financial documents containing personal information unless:

- The company they’re uploading it to is well known like a major bank and the domain in the address bar matches.

- They know the company they’re dealing with - which means a business address at a minimum and preferably a phone number.

- Avoid anything which claims to save money or be necessary which has a call to action to start uploading personal, documents.

This site fails all 3 tests. I was able to find the founder via the name and LinkedIn link. But at least put up a legitimate business name and something like a PO Box.

Registering a business name is $35 where this developer is located. A PO Box is around $80 a year. The name “closing.wtf” doesn’t seem to be registered with the state as a legitimate business. These are all red flags to “avoid”.

If you’d like a free cybersecurity analysis of your site, I’d be happy to offer a few free expert consulting hours to aain. Reply here and I’ll contact you on LinkedIn.

replies(3): >>42156932 #>>42161581 #>>42169149 #
telgareith ◴[] No.42156932[source]
A DBA (doing business as) is $35. And not worth the paper its printed on if not filed by an actual entity... which cost $300+.

AND you have to give some new nebulous federal entity because "money laundering," or sometimes "OFAC enforcement."

replies(1): >>42157056 #
Arainach ◴[] No.42157056[source]
No one should be handing out their address, mortgage information, and other sensitive details to someone who can't spend at least $300 on the bare minimum appearance of legitimacy.
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1. aaln ◴[] No.42167062[source]
Thank you for the feedback. I'm working on all the points @trollbridge and you @Arainach have mentioned.