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Advertising

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

Complaining About A Business (CA)
Learn about the complaint process for particular businesses ranging from airlines to contractors to doctors to real estate agencies. Directory of hundreds of businesses and where to complaint to.

Filing A Complaint Against A County, Government Official, Police Officer or Business Entity (CA)
Includes where to file complaints against judges, investment firms, and more.

Complaints The BBB Will and Will Not Handle

See Where To Find Help

Where Else To Complain Or Go For Help  

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Money Matters

Bad Checks (CA)

Creditor Rights Questions (CA)
What you need to know when someone else owes you money and you want to collect.

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

Small Business Tax Information & Forms (National)

Free Business Forms A-Z

Business Sample Form Letters on 40 subjects

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.

How To Check Up On A Company Or See If It's Legit (CA)
The following groups must register with the state if they are to do any business whatsoever: Credit Services Organizations, Non-profit Corporations, Seller-Assisted Marking Plans, Sellers of Travel, and Telephonic Sellers (any seller who solicits business by telephone). 

How Do I Check Out a Seller of Travel? (CA)

Find Out Where A Business Is Incorporated (All 50 States)
Beware of any "Inc.", "Corp." or "Co." that has not incorporated.  Chances are they're frauds.  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. 

Seller Assisted Marketing Plans (CA)
Seller Assisted Marketing Plans (SAMPs) must register with the Attorney General's Office and provide significant disclosure statements to potential buyers prior to signing any contracts, and to provide the buyer specific contractual rights after a purchase has been made.

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

Starting A Business In California (CA Sec. of State)
Provides advice on which business entity to choose and what government agencies you'll need to get started.

Naming A Business-What You Need To Know (CA)

CA Secretary Of State Site Search Engine
Can't find what you're looking for? Try a word search on their website for anything business-related. 

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

Business Resources Every Business Should Know About (CA)
The most common government agencies all businesses must deal with.

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.

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

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

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

Steps to Starting Your Own Business (BBB)

Selecting The Legal Structure Of Your Business (SBA)

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

Checklist For Going Into Business (SBA)

Starting Your Business-Most Frequently asked Questions (SBA)

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

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.

Writing A Business Plan (Google)

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 

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

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)

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

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!)

Should You Incorporate Your Business? (CA)
Very basic advice.

California Corporations Page (Secretary of State)
Includes forms, fees, name reservations and answers to the most common questions.

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

Filing Information For Partnerships, Unincorporated Associations, Unincorporated nonprofits & Foreign Lending Institutions (CA)

Limited Partnerships Main Page (CA)
Includes forms, fees, name reservations and more.

Limited Liability Companies Main Page (CA Secretary of State)
Includes forms, fees, name reservations and answers to the most common questions.

California Business Portal Homepage (Sec. Of State)

Online Incorporations  (All 50 States)

Incorporation & LLC Fees  (Lists All 50 States)

Which State Should I Incorporate In?

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

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.

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

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Where To Go For Help

Complaining About A Business (CA)
Learn about the complaint process for particular businesses ranging from airlines to contractors to doctors to real estate agencies. Directory of hundreds of businesses and where to complaint to.

Filing A Complaint Against A County, Government Official, Police Officer or Business Entity (CA)
Includes where to file complaints against judges, investment firms, and more.

Better Business Bureaus (Links Throughout The U.S.)

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

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.

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Related Topics
Getting Refunds, Replacements or Repairs

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Misc. Legal

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

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