by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC
1. If you are searching for a particular term and the term has more than one word, be sure to also search with the term in between quotation marks. For example "certified structured settlement consultant" or "structured settlement broker".
2. Ignore search results where there appears to be a word logically misplaced. For example if you are seeking a "structured settlement broker" and put that into the search engine box a number of results come up as "sell structured settlement broker". There is no such thing. Another one to be suspect of is "settlement structured" instead of "structured settlement". These results are simply a further example of abusive advertising practices and specious claims by certain companies in the settlement transfer industry ore settlement factoring industry that serve to confuse consumers. Those search results should be avoided and I will do my best to identify and "out them" in this forum. My goal is get you to the information YOU need, when YOU need it.
3. When you land on a page from a Google or Yahoo search,or from another search engine. Scroll to the bottom of the page and see if there is a keyword stack or pile. The advertiser seeks to jam all these words on one page so that the search engine spiders can pick them up. It is not uncommon to see words that do not apply to that company. Federal Settlement Group, a settlement factoring company is one such abuser. It is has a keyword stack including structured settlement company, structured settlement broker and other terms which do not apply to the type of company that Federal Settlement Group is. Here's how it affects the search engine results as I've circled in red. Download federal_settlement_group.pdf
4. Steer clear of companies that do not display their address on the company web site home page or at the very least in the contact us section of the web site. Federal Settlement Group is an example of such a company. Not displaying your address gives off the impression that you are shady even if you are not. Incidentally I tried the toll-free number listed on the Federal Settlement Group website and it has been busy for the last two hours. Highly unimpressive stuff from Federal Settlement Group.
5. Check Structured Settlements 4Real's Advertising Wall of Shame, Social Media "Road Kill" or Dumbest Things Said About Structured Settlements if something appears suspect. You can search within the site using the Google search interface on the right side of the blog. Chances are, if there is or has been abuse, a story on a site that you are looking at has been published on Structured Settlements 4Real. If I haven't done a story let me know and I will research it.
Federal Settlement Group it turns out is owned by and is an alter ego of JG Wentworth. Why should that surprise anyone? Federal Settlement Group's false claim is America's leading structured settlement company is similar to the false one that JG Wentworth itself has made on the same subject.
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