How to spot a fake Apostille

In the United States alone, about a million Apostille stamps are issued per year. The more the world gets global, activities such as citizens are relocating, doing business, retiring, and adopting children in foreign countries increase. These activities require obtaining an Apostille of the relevant documents. Apostille process requires the use of money, and this is what attracts thieves and amateurs. This has happened with apostille services in California, many of which are advertised online. Most fake apostille services take either of the following strategies to con you:

1. They take your money and important documents which you send them by mail and then take forever to deliver what they promised.
2. They return documents to you with fake apostille seals. These you will never know until you refer those documents to a foreign government or agency. Many fake apostille operations are usually done outside the United States (Britain or other parts of Europe) which is the real catch. This makes the alternatives available to the victim very limited.

2. How long has Apostille services agency been operating?

Conduct some research to know the time the apostille agency has been on an operation. Check the time their website has been up, the person registered to it and if you can get any online recommendations from individuals who have used them in the past.

3. Is the site of the apostille agency you are visiting legitimate?

If you are not careful, you may be dealing with a copy of another authentic website. Check the URL closely, if the wording is close to that of another famous site and examine carefully. Some con artists can decide to make an imitation of an original website. Their trick is that the payments you make are directed to another address.

4. If the Apostille takes few wire transfers, then it is a strong hint that it may be a fraud.

Be keen and attentive while dealing with agencies offering an Apostille Service, and you will never have issues in selecting a reliable apostille service. For assurance, it is better that you handle your documents yourself and bring them to the agency personally. This way you will be sure that Apostille Stamp services agency is real, the legitimate routes will be followed, and authentic Apostille stamps will be received. If still, you are in doubt, then give us a call or visit our Apostille agency in San Diego, CA.