Besides the request for advance payment, the SEC and other sources list a number of other warning signs and wise practices to follow.

FORBES: Magazine Article

A.'s 57 regional offices can request what amounts to an advance payment of their educational benefits.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Virtual accounts need to be funded either via credit transfer, payment card or PayPal and therefore a possibility would be to request this information from credit institutions, card schemes and PayPal.

FORBES: ECB: "Roots Of Bitcoin Can Be Found In The Austrian School Of Economics"