Fraudulent business operations generally utilize short term, low rent locations . Typical business scams, not surprisingly, move around frequently. Fraudulent businesses often prefer mail drops . Using a mail drop gives a phony business a street number mailing address instead of just a box number. Be sure the address is appropriate to the type of business .
Residential locations are unlikely for wholesale, retail or manufacturing lines of business.
The ship-to address is at a different location than the business address . Ask a supplier you know or other third party in the area to stop in or drive by the business for you. Ask the credit references provided by the business how long they have been selling to the business. This may tell you the length of time the company has been in business. The case of the mystery affiliates.