How to tell if an AI data offer is legitimate
Short answer
Walk away from anyone who asks you for money, passwords or files before a written agreement, promises you a fixed amount up front, or pressures you with deadlines. A legitimate buyer or finder is a named, reachable person, explains who pays whom, and is fine with you checking them out and saying no.
Red flags: stop here
- Any upfront fee. Valuation fees, listing fees, processing fees, deposits. In real AI data deals, the buyer pays.
- Files, passwords or remote access before a signed agreement. Nobody needs your data to tell you whether it fits.
- A promised amount. Nobody can promise a price before the buyer has seen what you have.
- Pressure. "Only three spots left", "offer expires Friday", repeated calls after you've said no.
- No real person. No name, no way to check who they are, a free email address, no imprint.
- Vague about who pays. If they can't say plainly who pays whom, and how much comes out of your share, that's a problem.
- A data conversation that turns into an offer for your business. That's a different deal, with different rules.
Good signs
- A named, reachable person with a business address or published imprint.
- A plain explanation of the money: who pays whom, when, and why.
- An honest "part of this won't qualify", or even "this isn't a fit".
- No files needed until you've chosen a buyer and agreed in writing.
- Happy for your lawyer to read everything.
- One "no" and they stop.
Apply this to me, too
I'm one named person: Chris (Christopher Bauer), independent finder, with a published imprint at the bottom of every page. I never ask for files, passwords or money. Owners pay me no fees; only the buyer or broker pays me, and only if a deal closes (how I'm paid). Check me out, and check any buyer I introduce before you agree to anything.
Quick questions
Should I ever pay a fee to get my data valued or listed?
No. In legitimate AI data deals the buyer pays. If anyone asks you for an upfront fee, a processing fee or a deposit, walk away.
Someone wants remote access to our server to assess the data. Is that normal?
Not at the start. Nobody needs access to your systems to tell you whether your records fit. Any transfer should only happen after a signed licence, in a way you control.
How do I check out a finder like you?
Ask who they are, how they're paid, and by whom. Look for a named person, a published imprint and a business email on their own domain. Then check any buyer they introduce, independently.
Want an honest read on your own records?
Describe what you have in a few lines. I'll tell you whether buyers look for it. No files needed.
Ask for a free fit check You pay nothing · I never touch your files · Nothing happens without your written OK