Internet business opportunity scammer
Don't be Fooled by Work at Home...Testimonials
You've probably seen these on work at home Websites or by email. Scammers might include such among the "free sales tools" they offer for the fee they charge you. Tools of the trade are precisely what they are, as ropers and shills typically write them, not satisfied consumers.
Documented Proof
Some scammers provide bank statements, cleared checks and other documental replications as "proof." But just because the scammers made money at least once, doesn't mean that you will. Besides, with today's computer and printer technology, anybody can counterfeit just about any document and make it look legit.
One Internet business opportunity scammer even goes so far as to hype "Federally documented proof." This official-sounding "proof" is nothing more than a bank statement. To imply that a simple bank statement is an official, government-issued document that supports his claims, is outrageous to say the least. But scammers get even more outrageous than this.
Guarantees
Scammers typically word their so-called guarantees to imply that your success is in the bag. For example, something like $10,000 in 90 Days Guaranteed!!! is not uncommon. But it's misrepresentation, plain and simple. Work at home jobs, business opportunities and such can't possibly guarantee you much of anything, except that they'll refund your money if you're not satisfied. Even so, good luck trying to collect a refund from a scam.
Media Credentials
Scammers often hype the vague but impressive sales pitch, "As seen on national TV." Just because it was on TV in some way, shape or form—if it was on at all—doesn't make it a legit offer. But scammers know that most consumers trust what appears on TV, even if they didn't actually see it. Scammers are also confident that few know how or will take the time to verify such claims, if they're verifiable at all. Note that scammers rarely offer details, such as the names of the shows on which their offers supposedly appeared, and when and why. Get to the bottom of such vague claims before you let them impress you.
The same goes for claims of appearing in magazines, newspapers and other publications. For example, the touted publications might not even exist, but the scammers might try to dupe you with names that are close to those of reputable publications. Some do exist, but as nothing more than scams themselves, promoting other scams in seemingly legit articles. The articles are advertisements in disguise, similar to the way infomercials are "enlightening" TV shows in disguise. Free business-opportunity magazines are prime examples. That's exactly why they're free.
Stock Market Listings
If they're really listed at all, just because scammers sold stocks to raise capital doesn't make their businesses legit. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is in the business of regulating securities markets, not work at home scams. As long as scammers don't run securities scams, they're relatively safe from SEC intervention.
Reputable Site Logos
The Websites that issue these logos promise to verify the integrity of work at home job and business opportunity offers at other sites. But some are operated by scammers in cahoots with other scammers. Regardless, scammers can simply steal even legit logos, such as those trademarked by the Better Business Bureau, with a simple right-click of the computer mouse.
Experts
Some so-called work at home experts blatantly tout even the oldest and most obvious of scams. A closer look reveals that their motivations are equally as obvious: They have work at home books, articles, speaking engagements and such to sell. You might have seen their "articles" on Websites that cater to women. Stay-at-home moms are among their prime prey.
The Better Business Bureau and FTC offer more information about work at home, business-opportunity, and other scams, plus ways to verify offers and file complaints.
Your state attorney general's office might have specific or general information about work at home rip-offs taking place in your area and offer an avenue to file complaints.
If a Web-based work at home scam has already taken advantage of you, you may file a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a partnership between the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center.
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