A quick way to spot oil delivery scams is to read the labels. A company’s oil delivery ticket will have a date and description of the harvesting process. Be wary of labels that do not state these details, as they can be faked. You can get information about the variety of olives on the International Olive Council’s website. “Light” or “pure” oil is not likely to be a scam. Typically, “virgin” means it has not been processed. If you’re not sure whether or not an olive oil is made in California, it’s more likely to be legitimate. Lastly, you should be able to smell the oil before purchasing it, which Mueller suggests. Another way to tell if a company is a scam is to check its track record. Most fraudulent companies start as legitimate companies, but they operate out of a different state. While they may have headquarters in the same state as their target company, their sales brochures and websites will have fake information and misleading sales materials. Ensure that the company you’re dealing with has a good reputation and a history of providing reliable fuel oil service. One way to spot an oil company is to check its history. Most fraudulent companies start as an unreputable company, then later reappear under a different name. Before you sign up with a fuel oil service, make sure to do some research on the company. You want a company that has a good track record and has been in business for a while. Be wary of companies that promise you the lowest prices on heating oil, offer freebies, and other incentives. You may think you are saving money, but these companies simply cut corners and make you their profits.