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: have the title checked with the land administration (registered owner, boundaries, mortgages, disputes) before paying anything. The official service below allows a search or an online request. 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.

Investment, stock market, cryptocurrency or "guaranteed return": check that the intermediary is licensed by the financial markets authority and read its warnings before investing.

Insurance: check that the company, and the agent or broker selling it to you, are licensed.

Tax number or tax certificate: check it on the tax administration's official service below.

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.