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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Internet Scams To Avoid

The Internet Business Authority

While there are many great
internet business opportunities available, there are certainly a fair share of internet scams you should avoid. But how do you know when it’s a scam? They certainly are not all as plain to see as you would think.

In order to avoid getting involved in a scam, be sure to do a little research before jumping into something. Is there a valid address associated with the company? Are there any complaints about the officers in charge of the company? Are the officers even listed? Is there a support staff that actually answers you, whether it be by phone or email? Any Better Business Bureau complaints about the company?

Please note on the BBB, basically anyone can file a complaint here, so if there is a complaint, make sure it is valid before writing the company off completely. Another place you can’t completely trust in doing your research is online forums. Often times, there are just frustrated people who complain because they made no effort themselves to make any money, so they cry “scam” every time an online business is discussed. If you do any research using forums, make sure the people calling an internet business a scam have backup to the points they are trying to make.

Now there are three main areas I have seen that are common places for internet business scam artists to dwell. These may be obvious to some, but they need to be laid out nevertheless to ensure the monetary safety of the masses.

1 – Guaranteed Traffic. Every internet business needs traffic, and what sounds better than guaranteed traffic? But how can anyone really guarantee traffic? If they ever do provide you traffic where is it coming from? A country where you do not conduct any business perhaps? or worse yet, some type of robot that just keeps hitting your website? How can it be targeted? You guessed it folks, it can’t. And if your traffic isn’t targeted, it’s worthless. Stay away from this at all costs. Generate your own
targeted traffic for the best results for your business.

2 – Email Scams. You may be thinking this one is obvious, but people certainly continue to fall for the good old Nigerian Prince letters and the like promising millions if you just give them all of your personal information. Unreal. But if it wasn’t working, you would not continue to receive the emails. And these things come by regular mail by the post also, so don’t think simply because someone used a little postage that it is real. Take my word for it, you probably don’t have a long lost relative who has left you millions of dollars.

3 – Passive Income Programs. These are getting more and more popular these days as people continue to feel the growing financial strains closing in on them. Basically, these things come in a few forms which promise that just by investing some money, you will receive some insane return on your investment that is like 300% better (or more in many cases) than any investment you can get at a bank or from your financial advisor. The worst part of these however is that in many cases, they will actually pay people at the beginning because people will in turn begin to start investing greater amounts and telling their friends about it, only to later run away with all the money. These can be very appealing and sometimes hard to spot. Think about Bernie Madoff. People invested in that scam for years before only recently losing their money. These things are obvious when they come in the form of autosurf programs, but can be harder to decihper when they are just presented as investments. The thing you have to remember is that in this economic climate, it is very difficult for anyone to attain the types of returns being promised, and those that can probably aren’t in any rush to share their information willingly with you. So avoid these at all costs.

Having a successful internet business is certainly attainable, but be sure to spend your time building an online business you can trust, and not just some fly by night operation. Unfortunately, a basic rule of thumb is if they promise you that you will make money without doing anything, it is probably a scam. Master real internet marketing strategies and have a valid internet business, and you will be on your way to success.

http://www.theinternetbusinessauthority.com/
http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

"Make Money With Google" Scams

One of the most popular types of "business opportunity" offer that has been flooding the Internet recently are the "make money with Google" offers.

These offers have caught the attention of many consumers and have become very popular due to the many press stories on Google and the growth of e-commerce.

These offers usually claim you can make anywhere from $100-$300 a day by writing simple ads or doing "data entry" using Google. They oversell their program as "quick and easy" and are extremely deceptive in terms of what you'll actually be doing.

Many of these sites also use fake credentials to make the offer look legitimate with the "As Seen on ABC, MSN, and CNN" etc. statements and/or graphics. Here's an example:









Sometimes you'll even see fake pictures of customers providing fake testimonials. In fact, certain sites have small "fine print" at the bottom of the site that states the testimonials are fabricated. They do this in an attempt to stay out of legal trouble.

Here's another example. You'll notice they all look pretty much the same:











These sites usually charge a small shipping fee for a "free" Google toolkit. After you pay shipping, you're enrolled in an automatic monthly billing program where you get a new CD/DVD every month or some kind of membership for a monthly fee of $30-$50.

They could actually care less about the shipping - the only reason you need to pay a "shipping fee" is so they can get your credit card info to start billing you.

When you receive the free CD or DVDs, you'll find that they are filled with outdated affiliate marketing information that has been repackaged from other sources.

The information is not provided by any known experts from the Internet marketing industry and does not offer a realistic or proven strategy to profit with Google.

Aside from the products themselves, the other problem with these companies is that their customer service is either unresponsive or contact is limited to only email. This makes it very hard to cancel the monthly billing.

And even after you request a cancellation, some companies will continue to bill you and you'll be forced to go to your credit card company to resolve the issue (all while you're racking up hundreds of dollars in monthly charges).

Some offers are downright scams. You have to be careful and make sure you read the terms and conditions as some of them don't even mention the monthly fee.

These sites will usually try to hide their terms and conditions in small links on the bottom part of their sites. Basically, they're doing everything they can to bill you for at least 2-4 months before you figure out what's going on and cancel.

In addition, most of these sites are actually owned by a small handful of companies. They constantly change the program names and put up new sites to make it harder for people to contact them and/or harder for the authorities to track them down.

As soon as too many customers start to report them to the BBB, FTC, etc. and start posting complaints in forums and on review sites, they simply put up new sites with new names to start fresh and avoid a bad reputation.
Here's another example. These are just a few of the sites this company uses:













Because these offers are very easy to sell, many affiliates heavily promote these offers for easy commissions. That means that these "make money with Google" offers are probably going to be around for a long time, just with different sites and names.

In short, do NOT sign-up for any kind of "make money with Google" or "free Google toolkit" offer that looks like these and includes any kind of monthly fee. There is a 99.99% chance that it's a scam and completely worthless.

Keep in mind that while the free trial offer is a popular business model and associated with a lot of scams, it doesn't automatically warrant a product or service a scam.

You need to make sure you read the terms and conditions, see if you can contact customer service easily, and see if they clearly state you are billed every month.

Legitimate businesses are not shy about providing their contact information and telling you the terms of their program. And as always, do some research and look for positive reviews from real users before making any kind of purchase
.

http://www.imreportcard.com/scams/make-money-with-google.cgi

How to Avoid Online Scams in 2009 Stop wasting your time and money on online scams. Learn to identify the most common work at home and business opportunity scams and find a real business you can work from the comfort of your own home.

Grab IT

WARNING: You are being scammed by so-called "gurus" and other online liars!

"99% of affiliate guides out there are useless, outdated and recycled "e-crap!"... Go and fail with them and come back to get this guide when you've been scammed enough!" http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

WARNING - Internet Scams!



How to Avoid Online Scams in 2009 Stop wasting your time and money on online scams. Learn to identify the most common work at home and business opportunity scams and find a real business you can work from the comfort of your own home.

Grab IT

WARNING: You are being scammed by so-called "gurus" and other online liars!

"99% of affiliate guides out there are useless, outdated and recycled "e-crap!"... Go and fail with them and come back to get this guide when you've been scammed enough!" http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon


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Monday, April 6, 2009

Two Serious Scam Warnings, Plus a bargain ;)

Two Serious Scam Warnings, Plus a bargain ;)
Randy’s Ramblings 21st April
http://www.randolfsmith.com/


In this post:
**Two Serious Scam Warnings
======
I wanted to send this straight out as I know a lot of people fall for these.

I’ve just received 2 emails… One supposedly from Pay’Pal And the other from the IRS

Basically I know them both to be scams - purely sent to get Ca$h from your pocket into the scammers accounts.

Don’t ask me about the techy side of how they’ll manage it - they just will if you cl’ck the links!

The First

Here it is:

From: “PayPal”
To: Not Set
Date: Apr 21 2008, 01:14 PM
Subject: PayPal - Notification of Account Limitation

Dear PayPal account holder,

PayPal is constantly working to ensure security of our customers by regularly screening the accounts in our system.

We have recently determined that different computers have tried logging into your PayPal account,and multiple password failures were present before the logons. Until we can collect secure information, your access to sensitive account features will be limited. We would like to restore your access as soon as possible, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

——————————————————————————–
Why is my account access limited?

Your account access has been limited for the following reason(s):

April 20, 2008: We have reasons to believe that your account has been accessed by a third party.We have limited access to sensitive PayPal account features in case your account has been accessed by an unauthorized third party.

We understand that having limited access can be an inconvenience, but protecting your account is our primary concern.

(Your case ID for this reason is PP-931-2843-031.)
——————————————————————————–
How can I restore my account access?

Please visit the Resolution Center and complete the “Steps to Remove Limitations.”

To visit the Resolution Center, please follow the link below:

An IP Code /www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr=cmd=p/index

Completing all of the checklist items will automatically restore your account access.
Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.

NOTE: If you received this message in your SPAM / BULK folder, that is because of the restrictions implemented by your Internet Service Provider.

We are sorry for that inconvenience.

© Copyright © 1999-2008 PayPal. All rights reserved.
==
The PayPal one supposedly informs me that my account is being limited, and I need to log in because somebody has attempted fraudulent activity on my account.

They then apologise the inconvenience but require me to secure my account information by clicking on a link and going through the procedures at the PayPal have in place to re verify the account sending the limitations.

What’s worrying about this e-mail is that the wording in the information is very accurate.

On a couple of occasions I’ve had my account limited with PayPal. And this wording is the exact wording that they use.

But I know it’s a scam, and here’s why… In the from and to and greeting parts of the address service@intl.PayPal.com is incorrect. To say’s ‘not set’, Where is PayPal would have my e-mail address and the final part the big giveaway “Dear PayPal account holder”.

PayPal never write “Dear PayPal account holder,” they always address you by the data they have. i.e. your name.

The final detail is the web link does not take one directly to PayPal. But to some unknown site that is only identified by an IP address.

In all cases of any communication from PayPal regarding your account.

The simple thing to do is just log into your PayPal account by opening a browser and logging in as normal.

If paypal have a message for you it will be shown there.

Never, I repeat, never click the links within these e-mails.
===
Second One

Here it is:

From: “IRS”
To: Not Set
Date: Apr 21 2008, 01:14 PM
Subject: Important Notification

We are pleased to inform you that upon reviewing your fiscal activity, we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $372.31

To access the online form for your tax refund, please folow this link:

http://letternumber.bitefight.ro/c.php?uid=1234

Your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number: 217 53 3569

Because this letter could help resolve any questions regarding your exempt status, you should keep it in your permanent records.

If you distribute funds to other organizations, your records must show whether they are exempt under section 497 (c) (12). In cases where the recipient organization is not exempt under section 497 (c) (12), you must have evidence the funds will be used for section 497 (c) (12) purposes.

If you distribute fund to individuals, you should keep case histories showing the recipient’s name and address; the purpose of the award; the manner of section; and the relationship of the recipient to any of your officers, directors, trustees, members, or major contributors.
——————————————————————-
Sincerely,
Natasha Morgan
Director, Tax Refunds Department

Copyright 2008, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A. All rights reserved. Letter 952 (DO/CG

===
The IRS one really made me laugh.

Firstly again from IRS,and their address is office@IRS.gov, And the “to” says “Not set”.

So there’s the first giveaway. Secondly, it then goes on to inform me that after reviewing my fiscal activity, They have determined that I am eligible to receive a tax refund at $372.31.

There is then some unidentifiable web link and an individual taxpayer identification number

Signed by Natasha Morgan director of tax refunds. And finally, a copyright notice from the Internal Revenue Service, USA.

So why is this so hilarious. Easy- I live in the UK, I pay my taxes to the UK government Inland Revenue.

Not the Internal Revenue Service of the USA, What’s more I pay in pounds sterling - not dollars.

Therefore any refund would be in pounds sterling not in US dollars. And frankly - I still haven’t submitted my return yet…. hehe

So naturally this one had me in stitches. However, I realise that many of my friends & subscribers are in the US of A. and could easily fall prey to these vicious individuals.

I’m not exactly sure how the US IRS Works. However, I’m sure they wouldn’t send you an e-mail about tax refund, so yet again.

I can only stress do not I repeat not, click the links in these e-mails, if you receive any.
===
OK that’s it for the warnings.

Now a very quick and very cheap promotion.

If you are stuck wondering how to do what in your aweber account. (and if you don’t have one - I recommend getting one when you’re ready to start building your own list) here’s a link to Aweber.

How to Avoid Online Scams in 2009 Stop wasting your time and money on online scams. Learn to identify the most common work at home and business opportunity scams and find a real business you can work from the comfort of your own home.

Grab IT

WARNING: You are being scammed by so-called "gurus" and other online liars!

"99% of affiliate guides out there are useless, outdated and recycled "e-crap!"... Go and fail with them and come back to get this guide when you've been scammed enough!" http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon


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Friday, April 3, 2009

Latest News Flash on (Internet Scams)?


How to Avoid Online Scams in 2009 Stop wasting your time and money on online scams. Learn to identify the most common work at home and business opportunity scams and find a real business you can work from the comfort of your own home.

Grab IT

WARNING: You are being scammed by so-called "gurus" and other online liars!

"99% of affiliate guides out there are useless, outdated and recycled "e-crap!"... Go and fail with them and come back to get this guide when you've been scammed enough!" http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon

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Thursday, April 2, 2009

The Acai Berry Scams Invading the Internet


How to Avoid Online Scams in 2009 Stop wasting your time and money on online scams. Learn to identify the most common work at home and business opportunity scams and find a real business you can work from the comfort of your own home.

Grab IT

WARNING: You are being scammed by so-called "gurus" and other online liars!

"99% of affiliate guides out there are useless, outdated and recycled "e-crap!"... Go and fail with them and come back to get this guide when you've been scammed enough!" http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Government Warns About Online Stimulus Scams




How to Avoid Online Scams in 2009 Stop wasting your time and money on online scams. Learn to identify the most common work at home and business opportunity scams and find a real business you can work from the comfort of your own home.

Grab IT

WARNING: You are being scammed by so-called "gurus" and other online liars!

"99% of affiliate guides out there are useless, outdated and recycled "e-crap!"... Go and fail with them and come back to get this guide when you've been scammed enough!" http://tinyurl.com/DeadliestWeapon

Labels: , ,