One thing I think we can ALL agree on: there are just 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!” emails? You know that unless you’ve bought a ticket or registered for the lottery in question, you haven’t actually won anything. Prepare to be ripped off!
Oh, and the “Free Credit Report” emails, did you know that they’re usually just people looking to get your social security number, or some of them even charge you to use 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 will EVER ask for your login information with an email.
Then there’s “You’ve won a free gift.” How many of those do you get a week? All you have to do is pay shipping and shipping, right? Well, that means it’s not really free, right? 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 have put together a bunch of links that can hopefully help you trade online safely, without getting scammed.
Minimize credit card fraud
www.estafadores.com
Museum of Scams and Frauds (I really love this one)
www.quatloos.com
Huge list of online and offline scams
www.crimes-of-persuasion.com
A forum to discuss payment 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? To 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’ll be 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 nations [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]
By the end:
There’s so much hype out there, and it’s easy to get “caught up”. We all want to believe that we can actually make the promised 10 thousand dollars in just a couple of weeks.
In reality, things like that just don’t happen. The only person who can make that kind of money, if at all, is the owner of the program. AT YOUR expense. Always remember, if it seems unbelievable, it probably is.
No matter what you trade online, always do your homework before signing up for anything. It is VERY important to do a lot of research before deciding to pay any money.
Don’t rely on just a couple of sources of information, find as many as you can. Check out lists and forums, see if they have anything to say about the program/product you’re considering.
Ask all your friends and contacts if they have heard anything, good or bad. Go to marketing chat rooms, see what people have to say about it. Ask about anything you need answered regarding the product/program. You will be surprised at the amount of information you can get.
Contact the owners, ask questions. If they are elusive or don’t respond to you at all, then my advice would be to stay away.
Above all: never EVER use money that you cannot afford to lose.