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CorySpanko

How To Avoid Internet Scams

I consider myself an optimist. At least in my heart, I believe most people are good and want to help others. That’s agreat quality if you want to let yourself get ripped off until you blow your retirement fund, kids’ college fund and anyhopes of a nice life.

Fortunately, my brain, as undeveloped as it is, is much, much more skeptical. I assume that, at least on the Internet,everyone has an angle. They all want to make money and I’m their personal ATM. Regardless how many “Dear Dave”letters or “To your success” salutations they send me, they want one thing: my money!

So, I guess I’m optimistically skeptical or skeptically optimistic. At any rate, I learned something from the people ofMissouri. I am the “Show Me” person. Before I get involved in any Internet business, I need proof that it’s not a scam,it will work for me and it has staying power.

Before I go further, let me point out that this approach was developed over a period of time, after I got burned badlyby scams, bait and switch schemes, false advertising, etc. Yes, I’m cynical, but I’m keeping my money where itbelongs: in my wallet (or invested). Further, I’m finally making money, but that’s a different, although extremely happy,story.

Here are my 6 steps for approaching a new opportunity:

1. Does it sound too good to be true? It probably is. Get richquick schemes almost never work. This doesn’t mean you can’tcheck them out (details below), but promises of instant wealth aregenerally empty promises.

2. Look at the source for the advertisement. Is it fromsomeone you know and trust? Then it may have passed the firsthurdle and deserves more investigation. If not, you’re going tohave to really do your homework, as discussed below. Here’s onerule I have, coming from my skeptical brain: if I receive from thesame person many, many offers to join programs, I have no faiththat he/she believes in the program. He/she is only in it for theaffiliate commission of referring new members. In fact, I lose faithin all his/her emails and just delete them. Recently, I joined what Ithought was a respectable web site for referrals/leads. Next thing I know, the owners (not members) are sending meover 10 emails per day asking me to join the next great web site. In just a week I’m receiving at least 50 emails aboutdifferent sites. Do you think they really believe in these sites, or are they getting some kind of a kickback (e.g., affiliatecommissions)? No one can truly believe in and promote that many programs!

3. Do your homework. When I see an opportunity that interests me, I do some digging. I Google the company. Andits founders. I check for complaints with the BBB. I talk to as many members as I can. I try to find former members towhom I can speak. I ask members tough questions:

* How much are you making?* How much do you spend on advertising? What type of advertising?* What type of training do you get?

* What type of benefits do you get in your back office?* How is the support?* Do you get support from your sponsor?* How much time per week do you spend on this program?* It says X, Y and Z on your web site. Can you explain to me how X, Y and Z work?* Why did you decide to join this program? Any regrets?

If they start waffling, change the subject or just refuse to give an answer — RED FLAG! I don’t work with people whoaren’t honest with me, and neither should you. With that in mind, remember that there are certain things (processesfor making money, etc.) that they probably can’t tell you as that is one of the benefits of membership.

If you find that the information you receive is different than what is advertised, then ask them why. Also, remember, ifyou’re talking to someone currently in the program, he/she is trying to get you to sign up. Be wary of his/her answers!Listen for tone and whether he/she is trying to change the subject. Don’t let your desire to make money get in the wayof your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Also, don’t be surprised if they try to brush you off; they’vebeen trained to get rid of the “tire kickers.” In other words, they only want money from people who don’t exerciseintelligence and inquire about the program that they are considering joining. Remember, it’s your money; you have aright to know on what your spending it.

4. As mentioned above, don’t get too emotional. Sure, you want to make money, but your rational side must take overto determine if this really is a way for you to make money.

5. Limit the amount of programs in which you involve yourself.For some people, internet marketing can be addictive. Youcannot effectively promote 50 products. You’ll exhaust yourself,and probably fail. Concentrate on one or two programs andconsider expanding when you’re in profit mode. (I made thismistake, trust me.)

6. Be careful with advertising. There are lots of good advertisingsources out there, and there are some that just don’t work.Consider joining an Internet marketers forum (they are generallyfree) and find a discussion group about advertising so you canfind what others think are the most effective way toadvertise/promote your web site. And be very careful with pay-per-click advertising. Sure, it’s very targetedadvertising, but cost can be astronomical if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Do you have any additional tips to add to this list? I would love to hear them. Simply add your two cents in thecomments section below! Thanks for reading!

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