Check before you pay

Do not pay anything until you have checked for yourself what you are being offered, on the official websites below or in person. Be wary of urgency, of prices or returns that look too good, and of requests to pay into a personal account or by money transfer. Pay in a traceable way (bank transfer, notary), keep a copy of every document and every receipt, and if you are far away, have a trusted person holding a power of attorney check on the spot.

Ask the company for its registration number and have it confirmed by the official body below before signing or paying. A name resembling that of a well-known company proves nothing.

Notary: check that they are registered with the country's chamber or order of notaries. For a property purchase, having the deed drawn up by a notary means the title is checked before signing.

Land or housing: the title is checked at the land registry or deeds registry (registered owner, boundaries, mortgages, disputes), in person or through a notary or an agent. Ask for a recent certificate or search result before paying anything: a copy handed over by the seller is not enough.

Bank, microfinance, e-money or money transfer: check on the central bank's website that the institution is licensed. Taking deposits from the public without a licence is prohibited: a promise of high interest on a deposit is a warning sign.

This country applies the Apostille Convention (Hague Conference): a public document issued there for use in another member country is authenticated by an apostille, without consular legalisation. If in doubt, check the apostille with the authority that issued it.