1. Publication threshold
A company-specific rating is withheld unless we can establish a minimum factual record: the provider's operating identity or responsible entity, service scope, pricing/fee structure, material recovery claims, contact channels and sufficient evidence to assess consumer safeguards.
2. Weighted criteria
| Criterion | Weight | What we examine |
|---|---|---|
| Identity & governance | 25% | Legal entity clarity, responsible operators, public footprint, jurisdiction and consistency of business information. |
| Claims & evidence | 25% | Whether success claims, partnerships, credentials and recovery capabilities are specific, supportable and appropriately qualified. |
| Fee transparency | 20% | Upfront charges, retainers, contingencies, refund terms, third-party costs and whether payment terms are clear before engagement. |
| Consumer safeguards | 20% | Privacy, credential handling, custody boundaries, complaints, cancellation, conflict disclosures and pressure tactics. |
| Complaint handling | 10% | Pattern, recency, response quality, evidence supplied by both sides and signs that issues are resolved rather than ignored. |
3. Evidence hierarchy
- Primary records: government, court, regulator, corporate registry, company contracts and direct documentary evidence.
- First-party materials: company website, pricing, policies, terms, public statements and written responses.
- Independent reporting: reputable publications and specialist research with transparent sourcing.
- User reports: useful as signals, but not treated as verified facts without supporting evidence.
4. Claims, complaints and allegations
We distinguish allegations from established facts. A complaint alone does not prove wrongdoing, and a company denial alone does not disprove a complaint. Material negative findings should be supported by the strongest available evidence and presented with relevant context.
5. Updates and corrections
Pages carry a visible update date. Reviewed organizations and readers can send supporting documentation to [email protected]. Material verified changes are incorporated and, when appropriate, logged on our corrections page.
6. Commercial independence
Advertising, referral or sponsorship arrangements — if used — must be disclosed. A commercial relationship cannot buy a better editorial rating, suppress a material finding, or prevent a correction.