I recently responded to a reporter’s HARO (Help A Reporter Out) request for the best and worst business advice I’ve received and my advice for future business owners. My response was published along with others’ in a series by BestCompany.com. Here’s what I said. Credit goes to Mary Ellen Bates for the best business advice […]
This article originally appeared as a guest post on the Access/Information blog: Information is power. We’ve all heard this before, but are you basing your decisions on a limited or one-sided viewpoint? Whether we’re conducting market research, due diligence investigations, strategic planning – or just keeping up on the latest topics – we rely on […]
The political season is in full swing, and not a year goes by that you don’t read something that makes you wonder – Why didn’t they know about this before? A recent example is my latest entry in the Due Diligence Hall of Shame, because, in politics – as in life – it’s good to […]
Due diligence background investigations come in all flavors. They’re generally customized according to industry, level of risk, and time constraints. There’s one component, though, that should be included in all background checks on people and companies – the media report. What’s a media report? It’s the section of a background investigation that covers news and […]
As an investigator and an information nerd, I was intrigued by a podcast from the NPR Hidden Brain Series about the Ostrich Effect. We’ve all heard about it – burying your head in the sand to avoid learning what we don’t want to know. It seems that this ‘no spoilers’ mentality, as NPR describes it, […]
In a recent post, I questioned the methods used by a journalist in exposing a politician’s fraudulent college diploma. I’m all for catching this type of fraud, since one little lie can be a symptom of chronic deceit, but verifying a degree without consent is illegal (except in certain circumstances) and something this private investigator […]
If someone falsely claims a college degree, it tells you a lot about that person’s character. It’s also bad for business when the lie is exposed. That’s why, as part of our due diligence process, we regularly verify all credentials in supplied information and disclosure forms. It’s a simple way to catch a fraudster, and […]
Like any emerging industry, legal cannabis attracts a lot of risk-takers with dreams of making it big. Unfortunately, it also attracts a lot of fraudsters, luring investors with promises of fast and easy profits. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) sets in, and people tend to rush into the next great deal without taking the time […]
During the investment process, you’re often presented with a business plan or some solid-looking financial projections. Everything looks good on paper, but you wonder – Are the prospects for success really as rosy as they seem? It’s wise to be skeptical in business transactions, and that’s where market due diligence comes in. Sometimes known as […]
I recently had the opportunity to speak at the OACFE fraud conference about online due diligence background investigations. It’s always great to meet other fraud professionals and share my strategies and sources. In this presentation, I emphasize that one of the best ways to prevent fraud is to avoid going into business with fraudsters. If […]
Confirming what you know and finding what you don't
Best and worst business advice I’ve ever received
November 7, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Odds & Ends / 0 comments
I recently responded to a reporter’s HARO (Help A Reporter Out) request for the best and worst business advice I’ve received and my advice for future business owners. My response was published along with others’ in a series by BestCompany.com. Here’s what I said. Credit goes to Mary Ellen Bates for the best business advice […]
Read more
Making better decisions – Avoiding confirmation bias
October 24, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Investigations / 0 comments
This article originally appeared as a guest post on the Access/Information blog: Information is power. We’ve all heard this before, but are you basing your decisions on a limited or one-sided viewpoint? Whether we’re conducting market research, due diligence investigations, strategic planning – or just keeping up on the latest topics – we rely on […]
Read more
How well do you know your candidate?
October 9, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence hall of shame / 2 comments
The political season is in full swing, and not a year goes by that you don’t read something that makes you wonder – Why didn’t they know about this before? A recent example is my latest entry in the Due Diligence Hall of Shame, because, in politics – as in life – it’s good to […]
Read more
Background investigations – Don’t skip the media report
September 24, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Tips/Techniques / 0 comments
Due diligence background investigations come in all flavors. They’re generally customized according to industry, level of risk, and time constraints. There’s one component, though, that should be included in all background checks on people and companies – the media report. What’s a media report? It’s the section of a background investigation that covers news and […]
Read more
The Ostrich Effect and due diligence investigations
September 10, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 2 comments
As an investigator and an information nerd, I was intrigued by a podcast from the NPR Hidden Brain Series about the Ostrich Effect. We’ve all heard about it – burying your head in the sand to avoid learning what we don’t want to know. It seems that this ‘no spoilers’ mentality, as NPR describes it, […]
Read more
Tricks of the trade: Verifying degrees without consent
August 27, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Tips/Techniques / 0 comments
In a recent post, I questioned the methods used by a journalist in exposing a politician’s fraudulent college diploma. I’m all for catching this type of fraud, since one little lie can be a symptom of chronic deceit, but verifying a degree without consent is illegal (except in certain circumstances) and something this private investigator […]
Read more
Catching fraudsters – legally and ethically
August 13, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 2 comments
If someone falsely claims a college degree, it tells you a lot about that person’s character. It’s also bad for business when the lie is exposed. That’s why, as part of our due diligence process, we regularly verify all credentials in supplied information and disclosure forms. It’s a simple way to catch a fraudster, and […]
Read more
Beware of special deals: Is it too good to be true?
July 25, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence, Due diligence hall of shame / 2 comments
Like any emerging industry, legal cannabis attracts a lot of risk-takers with dreams of making it big. Unfortunately, it also attracts a lot of fraudsters, luring investors with promises of fast and easy profits. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) sets in, and people tend to rush into the next great deal without taking the time […]
Read more
Are prospects for success really as rosy as they seem?
July 6, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 0 comments
During the investment process, you’re often presented with a business plan or some solid-looking financial projections. Everything looks good on paper, but you wonder – Are the prospects for success really as rosy as they seem? It’s wise to be skeptical in business transactions, and that’s where market due diligence comes in. Sometimes known as […]
Read more
Online due diligence investigations – 5 things you need to know
June 13, 2018 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence, Tips/Techniques / 0 comments
I recently had the opportunity to speak at the OACFE fraud conference about online due diligence background investigations. It’s always great to meet other fraud professionals and share my strategies and sources. In this presentation, I emphasize that one of the best ways to prevent fraud is to avoid going into business with fraudsters. If […]
Read more