Learn about a business before you sign on the dotted line

DAVE GALLAGHER

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Editor’s note: This story is part of a series for Sunshine Week, a national effort highlighting access to public records.

QUESTION: How can I tell whether a business is legitimate?

ANSWER: There are a variety of ways to check up on a business by looking at public records. In many cities, businesses need to register for a business license. The city of Bellingham’s Web site has a search engine to find a business license. Go to www.cob.org, click the “Finance” link, then the “Business Center” link, followed by the “Businesses registered in Bellingham” link. If you’re thinking about hiring a contractor, a quick look at the Washington state Department of Labor & Industries can give you information about whether the contractor is registered, what kind of insurance the company has and who runs the company. Go to www.lni.wa.gov, click the “Trades & Licensing” link, then the “Hiring a Contractor” link. One other way to check the status of a company is through the Better Business Bureau through its reliability reports. Go to www.bbb.org, click the “Check it out: Business” link, and type in the company you are looking for. QUESTION: How do I check the financial stability of a company?

ANSWER: It is difficult to find out about what’s happening with private companies unless they are experiencing financial difficulties.

To find out whether a regional company has filed for bankruptcy, go to the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court for Western Washington ( www.wawb.uscourts.gov). You will need to sign up for a PACER account, which will charge 8 cents for each page you look at (no charge for simply looking up whether a company has filed for bankruptcy).

To find out if a company has a state or federal tax lien, go to the Whatcom County Courthouse. On the first floor where people can get vehicle license tabs and plates, there is a public research area. Staff members can help with navigating the computer system.

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Friday, Mar. 23, 2007

Learn about a business before you sign on the dotted line

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