In the international business & financial arena, experience is worth it’s weight in gold.
Before sending your hard earned monies to a so called “offshore services provider” make sure you have all the facts needed to make an informed evaluation.
- How old is the business ( demonstrates their credibility, dependability and experience )
- When was their URL registered ( common deception – for example they tell you they have 10 years of experience, but their URL was registered in the last 1-3 years)
- Where are they physically based
- Are they incorporated where they are physically based
- What is their physical business address
- May you visit their offices should you desire.
- Who is their principal(s) and what is their experience
For example:
- if they are offering Panama Companies, are they based in Panama?
- if they are offering Costa Rica companies, are they based in Costa Rica?
I am sure you will be surprised that many of the so called “offshore service providers” have never even visited the jurisdictions they claim to be experts in.
- Determine their physical location
If you cannot determine more than a web site and voicemail/VOIP Phone/Skype & Maildrop for your proposed offshore service provider …..find one who does.
ALL reputable offshore service providers will at least have a PHYSICAL street address and a local telephone as you would expect from any professional (lawyer, accountant, etc).
This should be prominently displayed on their web site and/or literature.
If they claim they need to protect their privacy/confidentiality don’t buy that excuse as it is not really an issue here, frankly what reputable professional hides from their client(s)?
Also beware offshore service providers with incorporation in one country, addresses in another country and telephones in yet another country. This is usually a sign of someone operating their business from their spare bedroom or kitchen table.
A professional and reputable offshore service provider will usually be registered as a local, domestic company where their physical offices are located, with its local address, director/manager/principals information displayed.
If you do not find this information clearly displayed, odds are it’s just an internet-based middleman.
These internet based middlemen as usually based ONSHORE (USA, Canada or UK) and use virtual servers located offshore to send and receive email to either mislead their potential clients into believing they are physically located offshore and/or these shady operators are under the false belief that data is protected and secure this way. However, the harsh reality is should they ever be subpoenaed by law enforcement, this data will be compromised, without exception, as the alternative to these onshore providers is their own incarceration.
So, if your prospective offshore service provider does not clearly identify their principals, directors, managers, legal status, their geographical location and the like …. find one who does!
