check, recheck and then - check again.

Your are putting your hard earned money in the hands of someone you've never met, so the cardinal rule is to check every bit of information and make sure it is accurate - check the website data, cross reference team member information with social media sites, investigate every key team member to the best of your abilities.

Once you've verified the validity of the project and its members move to step 2 - investigate the market that project is in...is it ripe for success or filled with competitors?

And my own personal bit of crazy - if the project demands a minimum contribution amount that seems rather high - stay out, as they would normally only take that step if they want to insure "seriousness" of investors, while the project may be valid, i am adverse to comply with high demands - a reliable project ought to let me decide how much I want to invest in it, they should welcome all members of all sizes not seek to create an exclusive club.