Verify the legitimacy of the company and the individual contacting you by checking their website, social media presence, and any professional affiliations they claim to have.
Be wary of unsolicited offers, especially those that involve large sums of money, and never provide personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited offer.
Be skeptical of any offer that seems too good to be true. Legitimate GSA contract consultants will be transparent about expectations and pricing and usually do not require an appointment setter before you talk to, what they call a ‘closer’.
Research the company’s reputation and check for any red flags such as lawsuits or negative reviews.
DO NOT Consult with the GSA directly, as they cannot and will not verify any consultant. There is no requirement for a company to be authorized to do business with the government, it does not exist.
Be cautious of high-pressure or urgent tactics. Scammers often use these tactics to try to get you to act quickly before you have a chance to properly research the offer. I fought this battle with a company that shall remain nameless that produced $14 million a year in revenue by doing exactly the high-pressure tactic, and not providing any service at all.
Keep in mind that the GSA does not endorse nor recommend any specific consultant, so be wary of anyone claiming to be an “officially approved” GSA consultant. Most importantly, experience matters. When choosing a legitimate consultant, ask them how long they have been in business. For example, I have friends who are consultants in this industry, who have been in business for at least 15 to 20 years with a few being in business, for over 30 years like myself.
