
Sometimes, the difference between
making a good deal and being taken advantage of is knowing where to go
for good information.Below
are some public resources that can help you make more informed decisions
before your enter into any kind of business relationship.
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1. |
Just because an individual or a business shows up on one of
these searches, it doesn't mean that the information they
provided is accurate or even that you're getting a fair deal. |
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2. |
Some of these links take you off-site to non-Treasury websites.
The Oregon State Treasury cannot and does not guarantee the
accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of these
external sites. |
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3. |
If you think you have located a scammer, do not attempt
to police the situation yourself.
Click here to find out how to properly
report your concerns to the proper authorities.
By confronting someone, you may be compromising an existing
investigation or even putting yourself at risk. |
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State of Oregon databases
Business Name Search (Secretary of State's Office)
This search feature lists all of the businesses registered to do
business in the State of Oregon. It will return an address and a
list of principal officers. In some cases, officers may be another
business entity. (Most other states have their own searches,
usually found at the website of their Secretary of State.)
Employer Search (by
Business Name)
This search, by the Employment
Department, is primarily for job search assistance. Make certain
that you're applying to a reputable business.
Construction Contractor License Search
Consumer Complaints
by Business (Department of Justice)
Charitable
Organizations (Department of Justice)
Proof of Workers'
Compensation Coverage (Department of Consumer and Business Services)
Other State Boards
and Licensure searches
The Secretary of State's Office has
put together a list of other databases you can use to search for
specific professions, such as to see if someone is a
Certified Public Accountant or if a car
dealer is
regulated by the Department of Transportation.
Other Databases
(The
Oregon State Treasury cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy,
relevance, timeliness, or completeness of these external sites.
Links to any private commercial sites are for informational purposes
only and are not an endorsement by the State Treasurer of any views
expressed or the quality of the products or services offered on these
sites or the entities sponsoring these sites.)
Better Business
Bureau Search
The BBB maintains reports on most
companies, and you can search for consumer complaints, see what those
complaints were, and see a company rating ranging from A+ to F.
Oregon State Bar
Members' Directory
Search for an attorney who is
licensed to practice law in Oregon, and see if they have any
disciplinary actions on their record.
Federal Securities
and Exchange Commission Search
The SEC allows you to search for
various filing information on companies you may be asked to invest in.
Please note that many small businesses will not be listed here.
A user manual for this search is available here.
Network Solutions'
WHOIS Search
Find out who owns a particular domain
name. (Caution: Many phone/fax numbers are unreliable.)
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