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By Vickie J. Scanlon


The Internet is a vast International Network of people and businesses – and a place where people can make a fairly decent living.  However, it is also a place where certain unsavory characters can freely roam – to take your dollars and run.  Scams – the human mind can be either pure or devious – and it is the devious mind that you have to look out for and be aware of at all time.

The easy marks to a scam are those that are new, inexperienced, or those that are desperately looking for a way to make some money, that the swindler will usually target.

Emotional hype and false sincerity are their ticket to a scam.  Some are obvious, but others are not.  Now, I mean no insult if you have been scammed – Why – been there and done that. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed – be aware-- and vow to be ever vigilant in your choices. 

And remember to reassure yourself, that next time – if, heaven forbid, you should encounter another scam, you will definitely handle it differently.


Affiliate Scams

What constitutes an affiliate scam?
1. No contact information
2. Commissions to high  -- (I know what you are saying – but the
commission looks so good?  Are you sure?)  Research – people do not
remain silent when they have been scammed on the Internet.
3. Your emails go unanswered.
4. Worse of all – your affiliate checks bounce.


Work-At-Home Scams

Work-At-Home scammers will gear their sights to the Mom, who wants to work at home, or the individual who lost their job, or the individual who wants to supplement their income from an on-line venture.  If you’re looking for a work-at-home position remember these warning signs:

1. If you have to pay to get access to the site or database to make money – could be a scam.
2. If you receive an email – before joining – that says something on the order of “No BS – this is a legitimate offer!”  Stay clear – it is BS!
3. If you’re not been paid – strong indicator you have been scammed.
4. They change rules and pay days (too, of course, to string you along and avoid paying you).

Well, I can say I haven’t encountered an affiliate scam, however, I’ve been hit with a work-at-home scam.  It was my first initial attempt at finding work on the Internet before going into affiliate marketing.  Anyway, I remember sending an email asking a question regarding, of all things, being paid.  I received no response.  So, I sent another email, stating that I could not access the link to their website and I was getting a 404 Error, and I was wondering if they could fix it.  Yes, devious – but wanted to know if they would reply.  And yes, they did.  I knew
then, it was a scam.

Report Your Scams

The Internet may be a vast network of International players, but the word scam travels quickly and people listen.  If you think the telephone was a good communication tool, well, the Internet is just as good – and sometimes faster if you know where to go.

However, please do not take this responsibility lightly -- if you are wronged, or treated badly -- but not scammed, do not report it.  And remember -- a scam occurs when a program or a business misrepresents or makes promises that they do not keep.  

To conclude, when beginning work on the Internet, you will encounter obvious scams, and not so obvious scams.  The key is research, and as always, Buyer Beware.  If your gut gets an uneasy knot in it and, if you hear yourself saying, "This is just too good to be true?" -- Take note, it probably is.

About Author:

Vickie J Scanlon -  Visit her site at:  http://www.myaffiliateplace.biz for free tools, where to report a scam, articles,  tech accessories, computers, business software, computer software, tech accessories.