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Advertising

A Guide to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act  

Finding Info On A Texas Business (Secretary of State)
Includes records relating to Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Assumed Names, State Trademarks, Registered Limited Liability Partnerships Foreign and State Financial Institutions, Non-profits, Federal Liens and UCC Statements & more.

How To Advertise Without Getting Into Trouble (Nolo.com)

Deceptive Advertisements (Federal Trade Commission) 
Rules & Regulations against such.

Stopping Other Companies From False Advertising
Find out where companies advertise and contact their advertisers to put a stop to their false claims. This site offers a free 7 day trial membership where you can find information such as types of advertising media used, advertising agencies employed by the company, approximate dollars spent in each type of advertising medium, a breakdown of the products handled by each agency employed by the company, and e-mail addresses for key personnel.  

The Applicability of FTC Law to Internet Advertising

Information On US & International Companies
Find the company behind the brand name, where they're located, their financial info, their officers, subsidiaries, who they advertise with, what media they use, and more.

Thomas' Food Industry Register can tell a company's name, address and phone number, the products it produces and the government agencies that regulate both the products and the company itself.

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Dealing With Other Businesses
Can The Business Be Trusted?
Complaints
Money Matters
Scams
Forms

Complaints

Where To Complain Or Go For Help  

Complaints The BBB Will and Will Not Handle

U.S. Tax Court (1986-Present)
Persons involved in litigation with the IRS may be found here. If a case is found, the actual court file may contain tax returns or other important financial information.

Find The Company Behind Textile, Fur & Wool Products (RN Lookup)
A registered identification number or RN is a number issued by the Federal Trade Commission, upon request, to a business residing in the U.S. that is engaged in the manufacture, importing, distribution, or sale of textile, wool, or fur products. Such businesses are not required to have RNs. They may, however, use the RN in place of a name on the label or tag that is required to be affixed to these products.

Where Else To Find Help (Consumer-SOS)

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Money Matters

Uniform Commercial Code Page (Texas)
The Uniform Commercial Code allows a creditor to notify other creditors about a debtor’s assets used as collateral for a secured transaction by filing a public notice (financing statement) with a particular filing office. Here are links, forms and law as well as filing instructions.

Collecting A Debt-Legal Ways To Locate Someone's Bank Account If They're Hiding Money From You

Demand Letter For Payment Of Debt
Generic fill in the blank form for demanding payment on an outstanding debt.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.

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Scams

Scam Proofing Your Business (BBB)

Scams Against Businesses (The Most Common)

See Also Scams & Cons

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Forms

Texas Business Forms 
Forms for becoming a notary public, setting up payment of fees by credit card and engaging in collecting funds. Also has forms for starting various business organizations.

Franchise FAQs, Forms and Law (Texas)

Secretary Of State Forms Page (Texas)
Corporate Name changes, incorporations, partnerships and more.

Free Business Forms A-Z

Business Sample Form Letters on 40 subjects

Small Business Tax Information & Forms (National)

General Forms For All Occasions (The 'Lectric Law Library)
Scroll down their forms page for forms on general business matters, living wills, power of attorney, promissory notes, employment and contracting.

General & State Specific Forms (Consumer-SOS/Lawyers)

See Money Matters

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Checking If They're Legitimate Or Trustworthy

Can The Business Be Trusted? (Consumer-SOS)
Don't get swindled! Learn how to do background checks on a business or business before you get scammed.

Find Out Where A Business Is Incorporated (All 50 States)
Want to sue a business or just see if it's legit? Then you'll need to know it's registered agent and where it's incorporated.  Every Inc., Corp. or CO. must have a state of incorporation. To find such, first check the Secretary of State where you know the company is doing business.  Next try The Secretary of State in Delaware, which is a very popular place to incorporate. Beware of any "Inc.", "Corp." or "Co." that has not incorporated.  Chances are they're frauds.

Resources On How To Profile Businesses
Whether it's researching their track record or looking for sanctions, this is the place.

Obtaining Corporate Records (On Specific Companies)
Comb through Securities & Exchange Commission fillings, trademark applications, and pending patents. Register here and the free site will stakeout up to ten companies of your choice and send you the information via email.

Finding The Company's Headquarters (Large List Of Addresses & Links)

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Salesman & Solicitations
Dealing With Salesmen/Spotting The Legitimate Offer
Things To Watch Out For When Signing Sales Agreements
Determining The Legitimate Business Opportunity (Includes Franchises)

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Starting Your Own Business
Where To Begin
Loans & Business Development Centers
Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs
Your Business Name/Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights
Salesman & Solicitations & Franchises

Other Legal Matters

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Where To Begin

All About Non-Profits (Consumer-SOS)

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.

FAQs On Forming A Business in Texas
Types of business entities, tax issues, issuing stock, registered agents and more.

Filing Guide for Business Organizations (Texas)
For Profit and non-profit businesses.

Texas New Business Advisor (Texas) 
Information on planning, registering and growing your business.

4 Steps to Starting a Business (Texas) 
The on-line Guide to Texas Business Licenses and Permits is available at this site, as well.

Key Contact at the Texas Secretary Of State
Get to the movers and the shakers.

SCORE-Service Corps Of Retired Executives (All 50 States & DC)
Ex CEOs give free or low cost advice on how to start and run  your business.

Articles & Brochures From The U.S. Small Business Administration 
Everything you need to know about starting and running a business.

Writing A Business Plan (Google)

U.S. Business Advisor
Provides one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions.

Search Engine For Starting And Running A Business
Articles and Tips on What You Need To Know.

Steps to Starting Your Own Business (BBB)

Find Your Secretary Of State (All 50 States)
Your Secretary Of State often has information on corporations, stated trademarks and licensing boards.

Internet Non-Profit Center
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers on Non-Profits.

Starting A Business, Business Plans & Marketing
Click here for samples from A to Z.

Fact Sheet on Record Keeping Requirements Under the FLSA
Under the the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must keep  detailed records on the wages they pay, the ages of their workers and the hours they work. 

Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses 
This is an interactive system designed to help employers and employees understand and comply with numerous employment laws enforced by The  Department Of Labor. Each elaws Advisor gives advice and provides information on a specific law or regulation based on the user's particular situation.

Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act
Includes Employer guidelines for record keeping.

For More Resources & Great Tips, Check Out Nolo.com

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Articles & Brochures From The U.S. Small Business Administration 

Starting Up Your Business (SBA)
Has good general explanations of all you need to know plus helpful links to state & federal agencies as well as SBA programs.

Checklist For Going Into Business (SBA)

Starting Your Business-Most Frequently asked Questions (SBA)

Selecting The Legal Structure Of Your Business (SBA)

Online Brochures on over 100 Business Issues (SBA)

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Loans & Business Development Centers

Loans & Start Up Assistance (National Links/Phone#s)

The Facts About SBA Business Development Centers

Micro-Enterprise FAQs

Micro-Enterprise Dev Programs (50 States & DC)

SBA Borrower's Guide (The Ins & Outs Of Small Business Loans by The SBA)

Micro-loans (Small Loans From Lenders in All 50 States & DC)

Online Brochures on over 100 Business Issues (SBA)

Find The SBA Office Nearest You (All 50 States & DC)
For More Resources & Great Tips, Check Out  Nolo.com

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Your Business Name/Protecting Your Intellectual Property

Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs

Selecting The Legal Structure Of Your Business (Excellent!)

Filing Guide for Business Organizations (Texas)
For Profit and non-profit businesses.

Texas New Business Advisor (Texas) 
Information on planning, registering and growing your business.

FAQs On Forming A Business in Texas
Types of business entities, tax issues, issuing stock, registered agents and more.

Key Contact at the Texas Secretary Of State
Get to the movers and the shakers.

Online Incorporations  (All 50 States)

Incorporation & LLC Fees  (Lists All 50 States)

Which State Should I Incorporate In?

Online Brochures On Over 100 Business Issues (SBA)

Find The SBA Office Nearest You (All 50 States & DC)

Find Your Secretary Of State (All 50 States)
Your Secretary Of State often has information on corporations, stated trademarks and licensing boards.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occaisions.

For More Resources & Great Tips, Check Out  Nolo.com

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Where To Go For Help

Better Business Bureaus 
Scroll down for Texas.

Complaints The BBB Will and Will Not Handle

Texas Secretary of State
The Secretary of State deals with issues and problems involving Texas corporations, financial and banking transactions and other public organizations. 
Go here if you're starting a corporation or have a complaint about a business, licensed professional or charity.

Consumer Complaints (Requires Acrobat Reader)
General tips plus the role of the Texas Attorney General's Office in resolving disputes.

Texas Workforce Commission 
Information on employment taxes and issues.

The AARP In Texas
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

Finding Info On A Texas Business (Secretary of State)
Includes records relating to Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Assumed Names, State Trademarks, Registered Limited Liability Partnerships Foreign and State Financial Institutions, Non-profits, Federal Liens and UCC Statements & more.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occaisions.

Find A Chamber Of Commerce (World Wide) 

National Help Orgs For A Variety Of Consumer Problems
Businesses, The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.

U.S. Tax Court (1986-Present)
Persons involved in litigation with the IRS may be found here. If a case is found, the actual court file may contain tax returns or other important financial information.

Find The Company Behind Textile, Fur & Wool Products (RN Lookup)
A registered identification number or RN is a number issued by the Federal Trade Commission, upon request, to a business residing in the U.S. that is engaged in the manufacture, importing, distribution, or sale of textile, wool, or fur products. Such businesses are not required to have RNs. They may, however, use the RN in place of a name on the label or tag that is required to be affixed to these products.

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Related Topics
Getting Refunds, Replacements or Repairs

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Misc. Legal

Texas Legal Resources  
Laws, Constitution, cases, etc.

Insurance Resources For Small Businesses (Texas)
Resources for small employers including the law, FAQs and plenty of informational brochures and links.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occaisions.

Search Opinions Of The Texas Attorney General For Your Consumer Issue

Small Employers Health Insurance: Questions and Answers (Texas)

Finding Info On A Texas Business (Secretary of State)
Includes records relating to Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Assumed Names, State Trademarks, Registered Limited Liability Partnerships Foreign and State Financial Institutions, Non-profits, Federal Liens and UCC Statements & more.

A Guide to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act  

Texas Judiciary On-line
Access to courts, documents, rules that govern judges and other court related matters.

Time Limits In Which To Sue For Personal Injuries (All 50 States)

Search The Texas Courts On-Line
Do a word search for people, cases or law.

Search Opinions Of The Texas Attorney General For Your Consumer Issue

Texas Municipal Codes (85 City Codes Online)
Learn how your city treats zoning, nuisances, elections and more.

Find Your City's Municipal Codes (All 50 states & DC)

Rominger Legal Resources (Texas)
Courts, cases, law....

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