Take a look at this email sent by a reader: "I recently was reading
through the classifieds and I found a web site. I read through it, listened to
their sales pitch, and well it sounded too good to be true. I want to know if
these are true, and if you can't find out that's quite alright with me because
it'll only cost me $36 dollars to find out I've been hornswoggled."
See how this guy thinks? Even if he doubts the ad, he is still willing to
send out money just "to be sure" if he is going to be hoodwinked or
not!
Imagine if 1,000 individuals had the same feeling as this person and sent in
the $36 fee. That will be a whooping $36,000! Multiply that with the number of
people who has the same attitude everyday, and you can imagine how much
these companies will be making. No wonder these companies still exist and even
thrive.
The bad news is: as long as there are curious people willing to lose small
amounts of money, scam artists will be continue to multiply.
They prey on people who needs extra money and wants to get rich the EASY WAY.
And unfortunately, there are millions of people out there who wants to get rich
quick.
To hoodwink people, these scam artists offer business opportunities, some
even with complete packages (e.g. computer, manuals, do-it-yourself kits). They
impress to people in their print ads, infomercials or web sites that it so easy
to make money using their SECRET FORMULAS.
To convince you further, they show you "testimonials" of people who
have made it big using their products or kits - some claim that they now earn
six-figure monthly income, or own huge houses, drive fancy cars, and mingle with
the jet set aboard their yachts.
They sweeten the deal by pricing their "products" on the low side,
because they know that people are more willing to part with relatively small
amounts like $20, $36 or even $100.
Remember though, these brokers have been there for a while. They have studied
and tested the factors that get people's attention and what people want. They
know how to push your buttons! Their web sites almost always contain the
following elements: the long sales pitch, the testimonials with pictures of
people who supposedly became rich, and the come-ons to entice those dollars out
of your pockets. These crooks know how best to draw out those dollars from your
pockets!
For example, they know that people always want the best for less so they use
magic phrases like "Much more with MORE for less." Or, they will
convince you to part with your money by giving FREE extras, like FREE this, FREE
that, more FREE this, and more FREE that, if you sign up today or before the
week is over. If after reading 4-6 pages of sales pitch you still aren't
convinced, the free items are supposed to be the "clinchers" to your
doubting mind.
All the sweet sounding words, money back satisfaction guarantees are designed
to make you decide to part with your money, even against your own volition.
Those who take the bait do so with the attitude that "if it works, fine;
if it doesn't, then charge the $36 paid as tuition fee in life education."
Although an increasing number of victims do complain and demand for a refund of
their money, you can be sure that it will be a while before you take your money
back, if ever it does.
Before you write out that check or call their toll free phones to give your
credit card number for your order … WAIT! Scrutinize the business offer, and
find clues to help you ascertain the validity of the business opportunity.
- Is the web site full of rhetoric and empty promises, but short of
descriptions of what the business is all about? That is a big warning sign!
- Will the site send your "business packet" only if you give them
your email address? Why can't they post their business offering upfront so you
can decide whether you want to go for it or not. Watch out for this one! Your
mailbox will soon be deluged by spammers as you are now listed as a
"business opportunity seeker."
- Do they give you pages and pages to read testimonials of supposedly
successful people, instructions on how to handle your instant success -- only to
be told at the end of the 10th page that you need to send $25 if you want more
information about the business? Some scam sites are deliberately long on
sweeteners, but are silent on what exactly is the business opportunity. Why do
you need to send in money just to know what the program is all about?
- Does the company claim to be traded in NASDAQ or in Dow Jones to convince
you of their business success, only to find that their company is not listed in
any stock market? Check and verify their claims. Then report them to the Better
Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission to help warn others.
Always remember the words of wisdom: If it is too good to be true, it
probably is. Be cautious. Some of these business opportunities and jobs may be
legitimate, but many more are merely scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
estimates that people hopeful in looking for entrepreneurial opportunities lose
more than $100 million a year to prepackaged businesses that promise big riches
with little effort.
Curiosity kills the cat, they say. Rein in your curiosity and go treat your
family to a nice lunch with the $36, instead of sending it to these fraudulent
companies.
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