I always do research. I Google names, emails, company names, phone numbers (I am a woman... it's in my nature). I search through ISO Agreements (because a lot are other agreements altered with their information). I ask around...

I have horror stories that will make you cry.

I am a firm believer that all legit "lending" companies should be outlined and known. If you need help from someone on deal placement, it's okay. Sometimes two people are better than one on figuring out how a file can get to the right place. Should you send the file within 5 seconds of receiving a response and a "We can do that!" then you shouldn't be doing what you are doing. Delete yourself.

With that... educate yourself. Look into previous posts, think outside of the box, and most of all - USE COMMON SENSE. If a person is using a "gmail" or has a company name that sounds like a record label, Last name, or Breakfast Cereal- should be your first RED FLAG.