How To Avoid Getting Scammed

How To Avoid Getting Scammed

by: Dean Phillips

Listed below are some of the most popular and common scams:

1. Nigerian Letter Scam:

This oneกs been around for many years but continues to flourish. Many of these emails claim to be from a person in Africa, usually Nigeria. The writer claims to have access to millions of dollars, either from a relative or from knowledge of an idle account. A percentage of this money is promised to the victim if they will allow the money to be processed through their personal bank account. The victim is instructed to keep their share and send the remaining money to the scammer.

The check given to the victims is fraudulent. The victim is then liable to the bank for the check they wrote to the scammer.

Hereกs what will happen when you give strangers your bank account information: They will take your money. Period.

2. Phishing Scams:

กPhishingก is a hightech scam that uses spam or popup messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.

Phishers send an email or popup message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal withfor example, your Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to กupdateก or กvalidateก your account information.

Recent phishing victims include Yahoo, Citibank, eBay, Best Buy and Bank of America among others.

If you get spam that is phishing for information, forward it to [email protected].

3. Chain Letters:

In this classic scam, you’re asked to send a small amount of money (usually $5.00) to each of several names on a list, and then forward the letter including your name at the top of the list, via bulk email. Many of these letters claim to be legal. They even include a section of the U.S. Postal Code on illegal schemes. Don’t be fooled. They are not legal. And if you participate, not only will you be breaking the law, youกll lose your money as well.

4. WorkAtHome And Business Opportunity Scams:

These scams tempt victims with ads stating กno experience necessary,ก promise high earnings and claim to have inside information. The scammers usually require victims to pay anywhere from $35 to several hundred dollars or more for information, kits or materials that do not provide the promised results.

Frequently, these schemes involve making handicrafts, stuffing envelopes, medical billing, or state, กUse your home PC to make money fast in your spare time!ก

In the craft making or envelope stuffing scam, after paying fees and completing the assembly of the products, victims are told their work is low quality and unworthy of compensation.

Medical billing scams require victims to purchase supplies and lists of doctors who, inevitably don’t exist or are not interested in the service.

5. Bulk Email Scams:

These solicitations offer to sell you bulk email addresses (spam software) or services to send spam on your behalf. Example: ‘reach 100 million websites, $39.95ก! The software is usually of poor quality. Itกs spam and a scam. Don’t do it.

6. Auction and retail scams:

These schemes typically offer highvalue items, such as Cartier watches, Beanie Babies and computers, in hopes of attracting many consumers. What happens is the victim wins the bid, sends the money and receives nothing or receives products of much lower quality than advertised.

7. Guaranteed Loans or Credit Scams:

This scam comes in a variety of flavors: home equity loans that don’t require equity in your home, personal loans regardless of credit history, etc. After you pay the application fees, you receive a letter saying that your loan request was denied. Usually, you never here from these companies again.

8. Credit Repair Scams:

These scams promise to erase accurate, negative information from your credit file so that you can qualify for loans, mortgages, unsecured credit cards, etc. It doesn’t work. Not only that. If you follow their advice and lie on loan or credit applications, misrepresent your social security number, or get an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses, you will be committing fraud and violating federal laws. Another variation of this scam is the promise of a brand new credit file. Don’t do it.

9. Vacation, Sweepstakes And Prize Award Scams:

In these scams you receive notification congratulating you because youกve won a fabulous vacation, a car or some other prize award. All you have to do to collect your prize is pay a small fee (usually several hundred dollars). In return, what you end up getting is a toy car, (I kid you not) or a vacation certificate to the Bahamas or some other exotic vacation spot. Itกs really a lousy deal. You have to pay for your own airfare, and the accommodations that they arrange are usually in rundown hotels. Let the buyer beware!

10. Employment Scams:

Employment scammers take advantage of job seekers. They claim to offer employment services, inside information or inside contacts to jobs. After paying a fee, victims learn they only provide advice, help writing a resumeor less. Some fraudulent employment services simply sell lists of companies that they have gotten from public directories. They usually have not contacted those companies directly or know if there really are any job openings.

11. Multilevel Marketing (MLM) or Network Marketing Scams:

I know Iกm going to ruffle a few feathers with this one, so let me just say right now that all MLM or network marketing companies are not scams. Obviously, there are some good, reputable companies out there. However, there are so many bad ones that Iกm compelled to include the entire industry on this list. Before getting involved with any MLM or network marketing company, investigate, investigate and then investigate some more. Don’t get caught up in the hype. And hereกs a fact no MLM or network marketing company will ever tell younot even the legitimate ones: Unless you have outstanding sales ability and/or people skills, it is extremely difficult to make any money in MLM or network marketing.

Here are some other things you should watch out for: Make sure the website you’re visiting contains all three of the following:

A real persons name (not just a company or business name)

A telephone number

A street address (not just a P.O. Box)

If all three of the above are not present, walk away from the offer.

Before purchasing anything, you should always check first to see if the company has had any complaints lodged against it. The following websites publish complaints and/or scams:

http://www.scamwatch.com

http://www.worldwidescam.com

http://www.bbb.org

If you do get scammed, report it to the aforementioned websites immediately. You probably won’t be able to recover your money. Few people ever do. But at least by reporting the crime and making it public record, you make it harder for that company to scam anyone else.

In closing, always carefully investigate any business opportunity, and remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

About The Author

Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer, publisher and entrepreneur. Questions? Comments? Dean can be reached at mailto: [email protected]

Website: http://www.letsmakemoney.net

This article was posted on October 09, 2004

by Dean Phillips

How to avoid getting disastrously dotconned onlin

How to avoid getting disastrously dotconned online.

by: Josey Teby

…It is estimated that citizens in the U.S. alone are losing as much as $1,000,000 DAILY to Nigerian scammers! As someone doing your business on the Internet, this article will show you how to stay protected online from the newer variations and twists of the scams that can defraud even the most scamconscious individuals…
As an Internet user, have you received a letter, fax or email asking you to help a Nigerian {or any other citizen who you previously don’t know} with a bank transaction and offering you a chance to share millions of dollars?
This is a typical Nigerian Scam which has been around for decades, but now it seems to have reached epidemic proportions with the use of the Internet.
While some people recognize that this scheme, also known as the 419 Advanced Fee Scam, sounds too good to be true, unfortunately thousands of other people, daily, keep being victimized by this fraud.
It is not really their fault because daily these scammers keep coming up with newer twists and variations to the scams to defraud even the most scam conscious individuals.
Many people engaged in doing business on the Internet are increasingly becoming victims of this notorious scam despite all the warnings about scams in general.
*************How The Scam Works***************
In the Nigerian scam, scam artists entice their victims into believing they have been singled out from the masses to share in multimillion dollar windfall profits.
Typically, a company or individual receives an unsolicited letter, fax or email from a Nigerian claiming to be a senior civil servant.
In the email, the Nigerian informs the recipient that he is seeking a reputable foreign company or individual into whose account he can deposit funds ranging from $10 to $60 million, which the Nigerian government supposedly overpaid on a procurement contract.
In return, the recipient gets to keep a share of the millions.
There are dozens of different variations of this email originating from several countries, all involving a plea for help and a promise to share the riches.
But NOTE this clearly
It doesn’t matter what the story is…
It doesn’t matter what country is mentioned…
It doesn’t matter how true it looks….
So far as you don’t know the person before and he or she is offering you such an กopportunity of a lifetimeก of gaining millions of dollars within a short time for doing absolutely nothing…
Forget it…
… every single one is just a scam!
Laws passed in Nigeria outlaw the notorious Nigerian advancedfee fraud letters. Victims of these scams have also included Nigerians… to show that not all Nigerians are involved in the scams.
In short, these scams started in Nigeria and has led to thousands of Nigerians losing their entire fortunes to these scammers. Many have been known to commit suicide for losing all they own.
Yes, even Nigerians themselves are victims!
The scams are perpertuated by just a few bad eggs from among the millions of honest Nigerians worldwide.
Such honest Nigerians have suffered in 2 ways from their few bad eggs in their midst.
One by losing millions to the scammers themselves, Two by being blacklisted by other people worldwide.
It is therefore important not to look at กNigeriansก as the problem, but to look at the กscammersก as the problem.
*******The use of the Internet for the scams********
Since April 1998, U.S. Postal Inspectors have seized and destroyed over 4 million Nigerian advancefee fraud mails, resulting in an 80 percent decrease in the number of related complaints received by the Postal Service, law enforcement agencies, and consumer groups.
But with the Internet, these scam artists are now using emails to trap unsuspecting people, especially those with email addresses and websites…
… People doing their businesses on the Internet are more at danger of falling for these scams. These con artists do not target a single company or individual, but rather send out mass mailings, emails or faxes to as many people as possible.
Even Nigerians receive dozens of such emails on a daily basis… many still fall for the tricks.
The goal of the scammer is to delude the target into thinking he or she is being included in a very lucrative, although questionable, arrangement.
*********Some Characteristics of the Scam***********

An urgent email from an alleged Nigerian government official offers to transfer millions of dollars in กover invoiced contract fundsก into the victimกs bank account.
The victim is asked to provide blank company letterhead, bank account information, and telephone and fax numbers.
The confidentiality of the transactions is emphasized.
Numerous documents with official looking stamps, seals, and logos appear to suggest the authenticity of the proposal.
Upfront or advance fees are requested for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees, or bribes.
Travel to overseas locations is encouraged to complete the transaction.
Imposters posing as real occupants or officials may use offices in legitimate government buildings in Nigeria to meet with the potential victims.
A problem with the transaction is staged, and the victim is urged to provide a large sum of money to save the venture.

It is easy to fall victim to this scam. Sometimes, it is impossible to tell a legitimate deal from an outright scam, especially if you do not seek outside help.
*********How to protect yourself************

Learn how to avoid the bad deals by educating yourself and following some basic, common sense principles as outlined in ebooks like http://www.nigerianscambuster.com
Always keep your private information private. Do not give your financial account numbers to strangers or companies with which you are not familiar. A scam artist can use this information to steal money from you just as easily as mugging you at gunpoint or in a darkened alley.
Avoid being the next victim if you receive an offer in the mail or via fax that sounds too good to be true throw it away!

If you get an email offer delete it …
DO NOT RESPOND!

Don’t be of the opinion that the name กNigeriaก must be mentioned before you are convinced it is a Nigerian Scam. These days, the sophisticated ones no longer mention the name Nigeria. Also, other local criminals from other countries are now using the same tactics to dupe their own people.
Learn all you can about the scam so as to avoid falling for the newer variations and twists of the scams.

Better still, visit http://www.nigerianscambuster.com so that you will be entitled to the bimonthly newsletter which will keep you continually updated on the latest moves and tricks of these Nigerian scammers in particular and other Internet related scams in general.
Remember, it is a wild wild west out there… scammers are having a field day at YOUR expense.
Don’t let them!

About The Author

Josey Teby is an expert on the Nigerian scams in paritcular and other Internet scams in general. To learn more about the Nigerian scam and other Internet scams, download his ebook and 7 bonuses in his website: www.nigerianscambuster.com. The ebook also shows ordinary Internet users as well as webmasters how to avoid credit card fraud and chargebacks.

This article was posted on July 02, 2004

by Josey Teby

Identity Theft: They Got Him

Identity Theft: They Got Him

by: Daryl Campbell

His hard earned money? Gone. Creditors on his back everyday. The cops knocking on his door. His family strained to the breaking point. He didn’t do anything wrong but my business partnerกs life got turned upside down afew years back. He became a victim of what is now the fastest growing crime in the world. Identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, since 1999 over 27 million people in the US alone became victims of this epidemic 10 million more last year. Harris InterActive,a marketing research company, reports that between 2002 and 2003 more roughly 19,178 people per day fell victim.

Your identity can be stolen in many ways. For my partner, the thief gained access to his social security number and address then applied for a series of loans in his name. When the bills came due, guess who the creditors and law enforcement held accountable?

He and his family felt the full impact. Identity theft can cripple and even destroy a personกs life. The time loss trying to recover your identity as well as the out of pocket expense U.S.Treasury Secretary John Snow calls identity theft ‘the greatest threat to consumers and far more insidious and harmful to our national welfare than many people realize.ก The internet doesn’t make it any better with its almost limitless access to information but a great deal of identity theft still comes from the offline world. Wherever it comes from the goal stays the same. To get your personnal information and steal what belongs to you for as long as possible.

In many cases, this can lead to the victim filing for bankruptcy or worse. As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, one man whose identity got stolen recently spent 54 days in jail before authorities realized their mistake.

Yet even when the thief finally gets caught, victims find out all too often the worse part still lies ahead. The recovery of their identity. For my partner, that meant never ending battles with the same credit bureaus that previously gave him good ratings.

They destroyed his credit almost overnight eventhough he did everything they told him to get it restored. The agencies refused to clear his record and instead, started sharing his information with each other. His mortgage rates went thru the roof. He paid more for everything but still got declined. With all of this came the burden and fear of him not knowing if he would ever recover his identity. Six years later he finally did. He started working with a company that within 90 days restored his credit. His mortgage rate dropped and he went back to paying full price for everything like the rest of us.

And like my partner, all of us risk becoming victims. In San Antonio Texas, television station KENS 5 spoke with a man convicted of identity theft who warned กDon’t take for granted what you have because anybody could take it away — I mean at the snap of a finger.ก

He would know. The ways of stealing an identity have turned this crime from nuisance to worldwide crisis.

About The Author

Daryl Campbell is a writer and home business owner.Banks say you should check your credit once a year. No problem right? Except it leaves identity thieves the other 364 days to steal it. Get the professionals on your side to watch your back 24/7. How? Go now to => http://digbig.com/4dwsx

[email protected]

This article was posted on September 06

by Daryl Campbell

Rogue Dialers The Netกs Latest Scamola!

Rogue Dialers The Netกs Latest Scamola!

by: Robert Palmer

If recent news stories concerning worms, trojans and security exploits within Microsoftกs Internet Explorer, left you feeling vulnerable, this will leave you terrified. PCกs the world over are already being hit by a new breed of trojan type software called Rogue Dialers. More malevolent than most ordinary spyware, Rogue Dialers actually hijack the computerกs modem and then uses it to dialup a premium rate telephone number, racking up huge telephone charges. Many Dialers operate whilst the victim is actively surfing the Net by dropping the current connection and then performing an automatic reconnection via a premium rate number. Most scary of all are the Dialers which connect themselves to a premium rate number while the victim is away from their machine, achieving this by detecting long periods of inactivity.
Most กinfectionsก of Rogue Dialers are contracted by the กdriveby downloadก method, whereby the dialer software is automatically downloaded from a webpage without the victim ever being aware. This method of installing software onto a users PC was pioneered by the online adult services industry as a way of putting spy and adware programs onto a customers PC without them knowing. Originally confined to adult websites, driveby downloads of spyware used to be known as the Electronic Pox; a risk the enduser took when visiting adult websites. Of course, just like the first popup box, also developed by the adult industry, the rest of the Internet was soon to follow. Thanks to a glaringly obvious design flaw in Microsoftกs Outlook Express, which allows emails, including those containing HTML and embedded malevolent code, to be previewed without any warning, Rogue Dialers can be placed onto a victims PC without them ever going near a website. Rogue Dialers are just the next generation of electronic misery which can be inflicted upon the enduser. Unfortunately for any victims, Rogue Dialers hit the pocket and they hit it hard!
In America, one victim of a Rogue Dialer scam racked up some $500 in charges after their modem was hijacked and a premium rate number was contacted on just six occasions. In the UK too, numerous victims have reported huge telephone charges, with some in excess of £1500 ($2800).
The consumer website, Bad Business Bureau has received over 1300 complaints from victims of this latest scam and, while this whole matter is being investigated by Federal Trade Commission in the States and by the Office of Fair Trading in the UK, scammers are already responding with new software which dials numbers in countries where trade controls are lacking.
A further blow has recently been delivered to UK based victims with announcements from the leading telecoms providers, BT and NTL that they are กnot responsibleก for calls which have been made fraudulently and that customers will not be exempted from any charges incurred.
Protecting Yourself & Your Wallet
Firewalls and and antivirus software WILL NOT provide protection against Rogue Dialer infections. The กdriveby downloadก method of introducing a Rogue Dialer onto a PC normally involves an ActiveX script and users advised, at the very least, to set their browser settings to either disable ActiveX or warn of its existence. For a more professional approach to protecting your modem, StopItNow, an Australian based software company has released a specific Rogue Dialer killer which retails for just $16.95.
To avoid having a Rogue Dialer dumped onto their computer via the preview pane of Outlook Express, users may want to consider an alternative email client such as the freeware program, Eudora.
Related Links:

http://www.badbusinessbureau.com
http://www.stopitnow.com.au
http://www.ftc.gov
http://www.oftel.gov.uk
http://www.eudora.com

About The Author

Robert Palmer is CEO of deskNET Communications (http://www.desknet.co.uk) providing webmasters and ecommerce with a more successful alternative to optin email marketing and email newsletters.

[email protected]

This article was posted on July 07, 2004

by Robert Palmer