Warning - Scams Ahead

Learn what to watch out for!

This article is intended to help you avoid online scams. Please leave us comments, questions, or success stories so that we can improve this guide.

The World Wide Web is always open for business. Most business are 100% legitimate and can be a great asset to you. You can shop, learn, and play online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But be aware! There are scams and cheats out there, just waiting to take your money and run.

Online scams have an appeal to con-artist because the can be created and taken down extremely quick. There are no "paper-trails" and the scammer can get to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

Some tips to keep in mind when you are researching for your home business needs:

• If it is too good to be true, usually its a scam
• If in doubt, check it out. The BBB online is a great place to start.
• Avoid high pressure sales. Most Internet business, while wanting you as a customer, still have the luxury of time. A buy in the next 5 minutes or else company is most likely a scam.
• Be cautious of FREE offers. While it used to be true that nothing in life is free, the Internet has changed that and there is a lot of free information on the Internet. However, if a company or web site is offering a free product, you can bet there is a catch.
• Be wary of sites that request you mail in a payment or information. With today's technology, any legitimate web site will be able to process a credit card (a credit card has fraud protection and is a safer way to shop online)

Here are some other tips and tricks from the BBB online.

"If a company does not let its customers, who shop on the Internet, know its information privacy guidelines up front, it will have a hard time doing business online in the 21st century. That’s why many online businesses are participating in online privacy seal programs like the one offered by BBB OnLine.

You leave cyber “footprints” where- ever you go on the Internet, allowing sophisticated merchants to collect significant data on your potential interests and buying habits.

Companies who are approved to participate in the BBB OnLine Privacy Program must post online privacy policies that meet rigorous privacy principles, open themselves up to monitoring and review, and agree to participate in consumer dispute resolution. In return, they are allowed to display a privacy seal, like the one shown below at left, on their e-commerce web sites to let their customers know that their consumer privacy will be protected and respected. The privacy seal at right is displayed by companies whose web sites are directed specifically towards children. " Read more at the BBB online web site.