Tips to avoid scams

One thing I think we ALL agree on: there are too many scams out there. Both online and offline. Things like:

Email from a “millionaire” who needs help transferring large sums of money “This is one of the most popular online scams today.

How about the “You won the lottery !!” mails? You know that unless you bought a ticket or registered for the lottery in question, you haven’t really won anything. Prepare to be scammed!

Oh and the “Free Credit Report” emails, did you know that they are usually just someone looking to get your ssn number, or some of them even bill you for using their “free” service later?

Beware of E-gold and Paypal scams, where someone sends you an email telling you that you HAVE to log in or you risk losing everything. Both E-gold and Paypal have strict email policies, and neither of them would NEVER request your login information with an email.

Then there is “You have won a free gift.” How many of those do you get per week? All you have to do is pay s & h, right? Well, that means it’s not really free, does it? Do you know what they get when you claim that free gift? Usually your credit card number, or even your email address / phone number, which can then be sold as “leads”.

I’ve put together a ton of links that can hopefully help you market safely online, without getting scammed.

Minimize credit card fraud
www.scambusters.com

Museum of Scams and Frauds (I love this one)
www.quatloos.com

Huge list of online and offline scams

www.crimes-of-persuasion.com

A forum to discuss collection programs. Good, Bad and Scams
www.isaaf.com

List of scams with a touch of humor
www.worldwidescam.com

What if you have already been scammed? Complain! Don’t let it. You won’t help yourself or others if you just let it. Even if you don’t get your money back, you’re doing your bit to stop these scams and scammers and ultimately helping others avoid them.

Have you been scammed? Make a report!
A joint project of consumer protection agencies from 17 countries [http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/default41.htm]
www.econsumer.gov

How to make a complaint (UK)
www.consumer.gov.uk [http://www.consumer.gov.uk/consumer_web/complain.htm]

To end:

There’s so much hype out there, and it’s easy to get sucked into it. We all want to believe that we can actually make the promised tens of thousands of dollars in just a couple of weeks.

In reality, things like that just don’t happen. The only person who can, if any, earn that amount of money is the owner of the program. AT YOUR cost. Always remember, if it looks amazing, it probably is.

No matter what you market online, always do your homework before signing up for anything. It is REALLY important to do a lot of research before deciding to pay money.

Don’t just rely on a couple of sources for information, look for as many as you can. Check the lists and forums, see if they have something to say about the program / product you are considering.

Ask all your friends and contacts if they have heard something, good or bad. Go to marketing chat rooms, see what people have to say about it. Ask about anything you need answers about the product / program. You will be surprised how much information you can get.

Contact the owners, ask questions. If they are elusive or do not respond to you at all, then my advice would be to stay away.

Above all: Never NEVER use money that you cannot afford to lose.

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