Carrie....Go Fuck Yourself!!
When the check clears, trust that.
After years and years of doing business with someone or a company, begin to think about trusting them.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't look right, it isn't. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Network like crazy and meet people in the industry, off line. It's the only way to start taking a true measure of their character and even that's not enough.
Good business ethics elude some. Know that and you're halfway there.