The specific official source for every claim being made, in writing, together with a plain statement of what is refundable and under what conditions.
Every claim should have a citation
A broker who cannot point to the official page for an assertion about amounts, eligibility, timing or family inclusion is describing something unverified. The reasonable request is simple: for each claim, the source and the date it was checked. The second request is about money: exactly what is being paid, to whom, into what account, at what stage, and what happens to it if the application is refused or withdrawn. Both requests should be answered in writing. Reluctance or urgency in response to either is itself informative. Selling a business and holding the proceeds makes a family a target for pressure, and slowing the sequence down is the protection. No legitimate process is harmed by a written answer given a week later.
Hypothetical example: A Canadian antiques dealer receives a payment instruction from a private company that uses a government-sounding name. The first review should preserve the official program page, compare the stated payee and account details, and request written confirmation of the applicant’s exact obligation. Official instructions and a dated payment record settle what occurred; an invoice alone does not establish authorization. The decision is simple: if the recipient or terms cannot be reconciled with current government materials, do not send funds while the discrepancy remains unresolved.