When starting your own business, you really get the chance to see the unscrupulous. Believe me — freelance writing is fall of pitfalls. I’ve had two really big occasions where I’ve been completely betrayed. And such things cost a lot. So caution is necessary. But there are other pitfalls, no matter what business you are starting out in. In a great post on watching out for the "integrity challenged," the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog points out some of the shady characters that might come calling while you are starting your own business:

Marketers that say you can make a great deal of money in a short amount of time without doing anything.

Business partners that tend to have only their own interests (not those of the business or partnership) at heart.

Customers that try to stiff you.

Vendors and suppliers that flake out, are unreliable or refuse to take responsibility.

Online slanderers who visit your Web site or blog, or post things online in forums that can damage your reputation.

These are issues that you need to consider and address when you are starting your own business. You can’t always completely protect yourself, but there are some steps you can take to minimize the damage. Tomorrow we will have a look at some of the things suggested by the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog to keep your risk down.