CHECKLIST

Red Flags: Before You Pay or Mail Originals

This is an industry-wide checklist built from common failure points and consumer reports. It is designed to prevent avoidable loss, delay, and document risk.

Scope and deliverables

“Full service” is promised but actual services are not itemized

“Full service” is promised but actual services are not itemized

No clear milestones or timeline estimates

No clear milestones or timeline estimates

“Optional” add-on fees appear after you already paid

“Optional” add-on fees appear after you already paid

Critical steps are ill-defined and vague (translation, apostilles, filing support)

Critical steps are ill-defined and vague (translation, apostilles, filing support)

Communication and accountability

Frequent handoffs and no single accountable person

Frequent handoffs and no single accountable person

Months of silence without progress

Communication only when you initiate it

Months of silence without progress

Communication only when you initiate it

Updates are generic and do not reference your specific case

Updates are generic and do not reference your specific case

Document custody and originals

They request originals without a written custody and return policy

They request originals without a written custody and return policy

They cannot provide an inventory list of documents they have obtained or received

They cannot provide an inventory list of documents they have obtained or received

They refuse to return documents upon request

They refuse to return documents upon request

Return is conditional on extra payment, additional signatures, or silence

Return is conditional on extra payment, additional signatures, or silence

Refunds, termination, and pressure tactics

Refund terms are unclear, changing or nonexistent

Refund terms are unclear, changing or nonexistent

You are asked to sign overly broad agreements to close your account

You are asked to sign overly broad agreements to close your account

You are asked to sign an NDA to obtain a refund or document return

You are asked to sign an NDA to obtain a refund or document return

Transparency and business footprint

Nonexistent office locations or unclear mail handling

Nonexistent office locations or unclear mail handling

No clear process for escalation of complaints

No clear process for escalation of complaints

Claims of success are hard to verify and unproven

Claims of success are hard to verify and unproven

If it matters, get it in writing

If a service will not confirm scope, custody, milestones, and cancellation terms in writing, you should treat that as a signal to pause.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE STUCK

Disclaimer: This site is for consumer awareness and education. If you represent a company discussed

here and believe information is incorrect, contact us with specific documentation for review. We are

not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

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Citizenship Consumer Awareness