Protect Yourself
Unfortunately, the surplus funds recovery industry attracts bad actors who prey on vulnerable homeowners. Learn how to protect yourself and identify trustworthy firms.
Warning signs that indicate a potentially predatory firm
Some firms charge outrageous percentages of your recovery — sometimes taking more than half of what you're owed. While professional services do cost money, fees of 50-65% are exploitative and take advantage of people who don't know better.
Aggressive phone calls, fake urgency ("sign today or lose everything!"), and pressure to make quick decisions without time to think. A legitimate firm will give you time to review everything and make informed choices.
Legitimate surplus recovery firms typically work on contingency — meaning they only get paid when you get paid. If a company demands money upfront before doing any work, that's a major red flag.
No honest firm can guarantee results or promise exact timelines before reviewing your case. If someone promises "100% success" or specific dollar amounts without research, they're misleading you.
If you can't understand the contract, or the firm refuses to explain terms clearly, walk away. Hidden fees, automatic renewal clauses, and complex legal jargon are designed to confuse you.
Vague company information, no physical address, untraceable phone numbers, or representatives who won't share their names. Legitimate businesses are transparent about who they are.
What to look for when choosing a recovery partner
Fees are explained upfront, in writing, before you sign anything. No hidden charges or surprise deductions.
No upfront fees. They only get paid when you successfully recover your funds. Your interests are aligned.
They give you time to review documents, ask questions, and make decisions without aggressive sales tactics.
They explain the process, your rights, and realistic expectations — even if you might pursue recovery yourself.
They're easy to reach, respond to questions, and keep you informed throughout the process.
They're upfront about timelines, potential challenges, and don't make guarantees they can't keep.
At Vanguard Surplus, we built our firm specifically to be the anti-scam alternative. We saw how people were being exploited and committed to a different approach:
When you work with Vanguard Surplus, you're working with a firm that genuinely has your best interests at heart.
We welcome your questions. Ask us anything about our process, fees, or approach. We're happy to explain everything before you make any decisions.