Where should I start?
Start with red flags, because a scam is the most expensive mistake. If an offer asks for money before funding, promises approval before anyone reviews your finances or pressures you to sign today, stop. Then verify the company, and only then spend time comparing contract terms.
- Scams and red flags: upfront fee scams, unsolicited offers, fake approval letters.
- Verify who you are dealing with: check a funding company, brokers, funders and marketplaces.
- Protect your data: connecting your bank account.
Which contract terms should I read first?
Read the terms that decide your personal exposure and your options if revenue drops: the personal guarantee, the lien, the default section, any confession of judgment and, for merchant cash advances, the reconciliation clause. These guides are general information, not legal advice; consult an attorney before signing.
- Personal guarantees
- UCC-1 liens
- Confessions of judgment
- Reconciliation clauses
- Questions before signing a merchant cash advance
- Using funding for payroll
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest red flags in a business funding offer?
Any fee due before you receive funds, approval promised before anyone reviews your finances, a company you cannot verify, a contract you are not allowed to read in full and pressure to sign immediately. One red flag is a reason to pause; several are a reason to walk away.
Is it safe to share bank statements when applying?
It can be, when you share them through a secure upload or an established read-only bank connection with a company you have verified. Be cautious about emailing statements to addresses you cannot confirm, and never give anyone your online banking password.
Are these guides legal advice?
No. They are general information to help you ask better questions. Contract terms vary by agreement and state, so talk to an attorney about any specific contract before you sign it.
Ready when you have done your checks
Apply once and review your funding options with every term explained before you sign.
Updated September 14, 2026 · TrustedBizFunder Funding Team
