Safety and Privacy (18)

• What does DealStream do to protect members?

  We have multiple systems in place for catching cybercriminals. We have a TrustShield system that allows people to evaluate the risk of dealing with...

• How secure is my data?

  Your data is very secure. Our servers are in very secure locations with multiple layers of redundancy.  We also don’t store sensitive data on our s...

• Do you sell any data to marketers?

  No. We do not sell or share any data with marketers.

• What tips do you have for doing business safely?

  We have a number of systems in place to weed out scammers. Unfortunately, these systems are not 100% effective and you still need to exercise care ...

• How can I protect myself from fraudsters and con artists?

  If you’ve been contacted by someone you don’t know, look at their profile. Check the Member Since field. We have good systems in place for weeding ...

• Can people create fake profiles?

  Yes. Unfortunately, they can. We have multiple security systems in place to find and remove fake profiles, but they are not 100% effective.  Look f...

• Do you check or verify any of the information in member profiles?

  Yes. We check the names of members who apply for Photo ID, Phone, PayPal, and LinkedIn TrustShields. We do not verify any other member information.

• Do fraudsters and scam artists ever create fake listings?

  Yes. It happens all the time. We do our best to weed them out, but it’s a never-ending battle. We rely on our members to report fake listings so, i...

• I think a listing is fake or misleading. Can I report it to you?

  Yes. Please report it. There is a Report Abuse icon at the bottom of the Details section of every listing. Click on the icon and complete the form. 

• I think one your members may be engaging in illegal or unethical activities. How do I report it?

  There is a “Report Abuse” button on each member’s profile. It's on the far right side just under the blue banner. Click on this button and complete...

• Someone is asking me for my banking information so they can send me a deposit. Should I give it to them?

  Absolutely not. This is a very common scam used by fraudsters to get your banking information. No legitimate person will ever send you a deposit wi...

• A buyer has mailed me a check as a deposit on a business I am selling. Is it okay to deposit the check?

  Absolutely not. This is a very common scam. If you deposit it, it will bounce and the fraudster will gain access to your banking information. No le...

• Someone sent me a check as a deposit. Is it okay to cash it?

  Absolutely not. This is a common scam used by fraudsters to steal your banking information. For example, here is how one scam works. A scammer send...

• Someone is asking me to pay a fee or retainer before they provide additional information. Is this unusual?

  It’s very common for intermediaries to ask for a retainer when they are being hired to to conduct an open-ended acquisition search. But it’s very u...

• Someone is asking me to sign a contract before they provide additional information about a business for sale. Is this unusual?

  This is very common with Buyer Fee Payable listings. The member wants to make sure you pay them a commission if you buy the business described in t...

• I'm being asked to provide a financial statement before I can get more information. Is this normal?

  Yes. It's common practice. But be very careful when you do this. You don't want to send your financial information to a crook.

• I'm being asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before I can get more information. Is that normal?

  Yes. This is a common practice with many types of deals. For example, when an owner is selling a business, they probably don't want their employees...

• What happens to my data when I cancel my membership?

  We keep your data. You may, however, make a written request to have your name and other Personally Identifiable Information removed from our databa...