Small business owners and start-ups are increasing by the minute. And so are the new techniques scammers are into to reel the newbie to the trap. Loan scammers target small businesses just as they do individuals. Fraudulent operators might appear legitimate at first glance, presenting slick-looking ads and websites featuring made-up testimonials from happy customers. Axis Capital Group Business Funding in Jakarta reminds us to continuously be cautious of who we deal with and be conscious of the warning signs.

1. Ask the loan company whether any advance payment is required. If the answer is yes, it is a red flag. Legitimate loan companies disclose fees up front and deduct them from the loan amount you receive, rather than demanding money up front. Don’t be fooled by promises that an upfront payment will guarantee you will get a loan.

2. Always consult legal advice for review of your loan agreement. If a loan contract is bogus, a legal professional can detect a scam you might miss. Avoid being rushed. High-pressure tactics and efforts to hurry you into signing a contract are red flags suggesting you are dealing with a loan scammer. Legitimate lenders will not object to a review by your legal counsel and may even suggest that you do so.

3. Perform a search of the Better Business Bureau database. Legitimate business funding should be a member of BBB. When you are not located in the US, in Jakarta, Indonesia, for instance, you can check your local government database available in every locality of the city.

4. Contact your state's attorney general, financial registration agency or banking oversight agency. Loan companies and loan brokers are required by law to register with state agencies in order to do business within a state.

Avoid providing your business or personal bank account information or your Social Security number in advance. You might find your business being billed for fees and you risk having your identity stolen.

Beware of loan company websites that mimic well-known lenders and financial institutions. Do not assume a copycat name implies any association. This is a common tactic used by loan scammers. Finally, don’t assume a professional-appearing website indicates legitimacy. Sophisticated scammers often employ slick websites complete with blogs, informational articles and other features to create the appearance of legitimacy. Always remember that these people have become far more advanced nowadays so you have to be a step ahead of them.

Social media has been dominating the world for the last decade. Almost all people have their own online accounts set up and the voice of netizens using these platforms is as influencing as the voice of their own presidents (sometimes even stronger). Everything is currently happening in social media and every eye has been following the latest in them. Taking advantage of this are businesses which see social media networks as one powerful marketing tool for their products and businesses. True enough; most site visits are resulted from advertisements posted on Facebook, YouTube or Twitter which are redirected to the company’s site.

Even small companies are recognizing and acknowledging the power of social media for drive of success in their businesses. Not one has yet to step out and complain of frustration their business had undergone just because of using social media. Investing in these accounts is definitely a good marketing technique but the type of social media you would have to put your company into would depend on the nature of your business.

Technically though, signing up for a social media account is not that much of an investment, except of course if you subscribe to LinkedIn’s premium account which still cost cheaper than print promotions. The most successful social media catering to larger audience are free such as Facebook and Twitter but if you want to professionally touch up your site and brand name, available premium accounts are also rampant. More importantly, you do not have to worry about what the future would lead you if you start building social media accounts now as many experts predict that the impact and weight of these platforms would continue to take over the internet world.

For key marketers in any industry, recognizing the audience is the top most priority. Axis Capital Group Business Funding, one of the top loan source for small businesses across the United States stated that social media has made it easier for their clients to filter their audience, thus making marketing as easier and comprehensible than ever with geo-targeting effectively leading the way. Target location, niche and parameters can now be easily deciphered.

Take Facebook accounts for example. Current standing for the most users of social media shows Indonesia in the lead with millions of visitors and members coming from its capital, Jakarta. 51% are male users and most of the topic they talk about is coffee, particularly, Java which is a native in their country. This data has been used by Starbucks to increase franchise shops in the country. Same strategies are being applied by other business.

Moreover, social media is also one of the most effective platforms to get positive reviews and feedbacks from consumers. With these information and data, businesses are already forming their own social media strategies.