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5 Warning Signs of a Scam Business
©
2002 By Sandra Stammberger
For years now the rush has been on to mine the Internet and
find "gold." Just like miners in the old
U.S. west, people flock to the Web hoping to strike it rich.
Is it possible? Sure it is! However, those miners of
old had to watch out for "fool's gold." You - in
the days of the Internet - have to watch out for scam
businesses.
BEAT the Cold Winter of 2007 ARIZONA'S NEWEST WONDER
Kartchner Caverns State Park opened in 1999. This stunning limestone cave system is one of the top in the world. Visit Sunny Southwest this cold winter |
Most scam business offers have five things in common.
Before you decide to invest your hard-earned money in an
Internet business, be sure to compare the offer to this
list. The following warning signs might very well help
you avoid a financial disaster!
1) No Contact Information or Limited Contact
Information
- Most scam artists don't want you to be able to locate them
easily.
After all, if you could find them easily, so could the
authorities. That's why they often only give an email
address (usually from a free provider like Yahoo or Hotmail)
and/or a post office box. On the other hand, reputable
companies DO want
you to be able to contact them quickly and easily.
They'll offer several ways... telephone, physical address,
email, fax, etc.
2) No Verifiable References or Testimonials
- Notice I said, "verifiable." Anyone can
make up references or testimonials that would make you think
a business opportunity is wonderful. But can you
verify them? Do they list Web site addresses or email
addresses for the people who supposedly gave the
testimonials?
Is there a way to contact the satisfied customers? If
not... if you only see a reference ending with "John D.
- California" - beware.
3) Phony Association Information
- Many times, we take for granted the fact that someone
offering a business opportunity is a legitimate company just
because a Better Business Bureau or iCop logo is posted on
the company's Web site. Not true! These logos
can be simply copied and pasted onto the scam artist's site.
There is a way to verify whether the company is a
legitimate member. Click the logo. If it goes to
a profile of the company (on the BBB or iCop site), you'll
know this company is an authentic member of the association.
BEAT the Cold Winter of 2007 ARIZONA'S NEWEST WONDER
Kartchner Caverns State Park opened in 1999. This stunning limestone cave system is one of the top in the world. Visit Sunny Southwest this cold winter |
4) "Make Thousands With No Work On Your
Part"
- This is the biggest lie on the Internet today.
Everyone loves the idea of making thousands of dollars while
they sleep. Is it possible? Yes! That part isn't
a lie. The statement that it will take no
work on your part is the lie. Even if the company
gives you a free Web site, free products to sell for 100%
profit, and a free shopping cart, you still have to work -
and work hard! How will people find your new Web site?
You'll have to market it. That takes a LOT of work in
and of itself. Beware when people tell you that their
business opportunities take no effort from you.
5) Rushing You To Make A Decision
- I'm not talking about the product sites that offer special
discounts if you buy before a specific date. I'm
talking about the business opportunity companies that -
instead of answering your questions - pressure you to go
ahead and buy in. I advise you not to trust anyone who
is unwilling to give you the information you need to make a
qualified decision. I can almost promise a scam is
involved if that is the case.
The bottom line is this: Any company offering legitimate
business opportunities will want to talk with you, will want
to give you all the information you need, will not give a
false appearance of credibility, will help you work through
the financial aspects of joining the company, and will have
verifiable references that you can contact. Beware of
anyone who does not offer these things.
By keeping your eyes open for the five warning signs listed
above, you can save a lot of trouble and money.
-----------------------------------------
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Stammberger works with legitimate businesses to help
them promote their biz op to thousands of interested
individuals. If you have an upstanding company who is
looking to recruit new signups - guaranteed - visit http://www.guaranteed-signups.net
today!
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