How to Spot a Scam a Mile Off


Received the following forwarded email from a subscriberthis morning:"I am an Executive Director with the Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a member of theContract Advisory Committee (...
Received the following forwarded email from a subscriberthis morning:"I am an Executive Director with the Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a member of theContract Advisory Committee (CAC). I am seeking yourassistance to enable me transfer the sum of$26,500,000 (Twenty Six Million, Five hundred ThousandUnited States Dollars) into your private/companyaccount."Carole told me she has received "3 or 4 of these in the lastweek, I think from different people.
I deleted the others. It makesme nervous.
Sounds like a dangerous scam. "That's exactly what it is, of course.
Maybe you're reading thisthinking "I can't believe people are still falling for the Nigeriascam after all this time". On the other hand, maybe you'rereading this thinking, "Wow, I might have responded to that.
Howam I supposed to know what's a scam and what's real?The reality is that there are hundreds of thousands of peoplecoming online, for the first time, each year. Many of thesepeople have simply not been exposed to scams like the onesthat are constantly touted on the Internet before.
Many of thesepeople come online to try and find a way to make money with theircomputers and/or they're looking for ideas for making moneyfrom home.The fact that they may not recognize scams off the bat doesn'tmean they're naive or stupid, it just means that they haven't beenin an environment where this sort of stuff came their way beforenow. And don't the scammers know it.Like vultures circling overhead, they await their prey.
They knowthey have only a narrow window of opportunity because it doesn'ttake newbies long to catch on so they have to be quick about it. Andhow do they do that? They hang out where newbies hang out sothey can get them while they're still young and fresh and vulnerable.They're nothing but predators looking to pick off the easiest game.Wouldn't want to have to engage in any real work, after all.In this article we look at several main scams and how to recognizethem.=> Nigerian Advance Fee SchemeThe gist of this worldwide scheme is that small to medium-sizebusinesses receive a letter from someone who purports to bean official of the Nigerian government or major utility or similarwho needs to transfer some huge amount of money out of thecountry.
The money typically is an overpayment by the governmenton a procurement contract. The object of the exercise is to getyou to provide your bank account details (for the purpose ofwire transferring the money of course).
Surprise surprise, there'sa transfer all right but not INTO your account!=> The FTC "Dirty Dozen"These are the top 12 scams that have been identified by the(U.S.) Federal Trade Commission as the most likely to arrivevia email:1. Business Opportunities - often pyramid schemes (see below)thinly disguised as legitimate opportunities to earn money.What to look for: high returns with little or no effort or cash outlayrequired.2.
Bulk Email - offers of lists of thousands of email addressesall of whom, of course, are just dying to receive your marketingmessage.What to look for: "Bulk Email Works! 10,000 addresses for $9.99."3. Chain Letters - send $5 to the next name on the list thencross the bottom name off the list, replace it with your own, thenforward the letter to 500 of your nearest and dearest.What to look for: A jail cell.
This is a pyramid scheme and isillegal. The letter goes to great pains to say that it is not illegal.4.
Envelope Stuffing - think you're going to be paid for stuffingenvelopes? Think again. You get a kit that you can turn aroundto recruit others to an envelope stuffing scam of your very own!Watch out for craft assembly work as well.
You'll probably findall of your hard work is not up to their exacting "quality standards"and therefore you won't get paid for your work.5. Health and Diet Scams - magic pills that eradicate the needto eat fewer calories than you expend in order to lose weight.They don't work.6.
Effortless Income - no such thing. As the FTC says, if theyworked, everyone would be doing it.7.
Free Goods - you're told you'll get a free computer. You haveto pay a fee to join a club and then told you have to recruit othermembers.
You get paid in computers. They're nothing but pyramidschemes.8.
Investment Opportunities - look for outrageously high ratesof return with no risk.9. Cable Descrambler Kits - they probably won't work and evenif they do, you're stealing a service from a cable company andcommitting a crime.10.
Guaranteed Loans or Credit - pay a fee and you'regiven a list of lenders, all of whom turn you down. Credit cardsnever arrive.11.
Credit Repair - no matter how bad your credit, pay thesepeople and they'll fix it. They generally just advise you how to lieon future credit applications - how to commit fraud in other words.12.
Vacation Prize Promotions - your accommodations will be sobad you'll want to pay for an upgrade. You'll probably have to payto schedule a vacation at the time you want as well.=> Pyramid SchemesMake money by recruiting members into the program without givinganything of equal value in exchange for membership fees.
ContrastMLM (multi-level marketing schemes). These are not pyramidschemes because they involve the sale of products and servicesin return for membership.=> Medical BillingPrepackaged businesses requiring an investment of $2,000 to$8,000.
Few people who purchase one of these "businesses"are able to find clients, start a business and generate revenues.Competition in this area is fierce and concentrated around afew big, well-entrenched firms.=> Your In BoxFinally, go to your in-box now. You'll find no end of scams sittingright there.
Here's one that just arrived in mine ..."Subject: How to make $1,000,000 in 20 weeks selling toNewcomers on the Net"Like all the rest, it gets the one-finger salute - index fingerto the delete key. Works beautifully every time.Where to go for more information on internet scams:FTC Websitehttp://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htmScambustershttp://www.scambusters.orgNetscamshttp://www.netscams.com/frameset.html Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com .

Top blog stories

A review of Idmobile.com

Idmobile.com offers both pay-as-you-go and contract plans. Pay-as-you-go plans are ideal for customers who don't want to be tied down to a long-term contract, and they can purchase bundles of data, minutes, and texts as and when they need them.

see post

A review of Idmobile.com

Idmobile.com offers both pay-as-you-go and contract plans. Pay-as-you-go plans are ideal for customers who don't want to be tied down to a long-term contract, and they can purchase bundles of data, minutes, and texts as and when they need them.

see post

AO.co: Online Shopping Made Simple

AO.co is a trusted expert in TVs, washing machines, clothes dryers and other household appliances. AO.com is one of the largest retailers in the UK and it specializes in electronics, clothes and home furniture.

see post

For our people.

At Three, we believe phones are good. They just make life better. Easier. And more fun. But we all need to find a balance that works for us. Our mission is to help our customers use their phones to live their best lives.

see post

We make your life easier

We make your life easier Since 1992, we’ve been helping customers get the best deal on their dream phone. We firmly believe in giving you the highest quality, for the lowest price. That’s why we work with three of the UK’s leading networks to do all the haggling for you,...

see post

FOUR BRANDS BECOME ONE. CURRYS.

Currys PLC is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating through 800+ stores and 16 websites in seven countries.

see post

Halfords - Quicker, Easier, and Convenient.

At Halfords, we're all about the journey. With more than 700 stores with over 10,000 colleagues, we're the UK's leading retailer of automotive and cycling products. We are also the leading operator in MOT, tyres, car servicing and car repairs - pleasing more than 750,000 customers every year.

see post

FOUR BRANDS BECOME ONE. CURRYS.

Currys PLC is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating through 800+ stores and 16 websites in seven countries.

see post

Sky - Epic. Endless. Entertainment.

It's important to us that everyone gets great customer service and can enjoy our products, no matter their level of sight. So, if you're blind, partially sighted or struggle to see or read the screen, we’ve a range of features to help you get the most from our products and...

see post

Nasty Gal - We exist for the “girl in progress”.

Look iconic, without the hassle— using Nasty Gal discount codes, you can shop your favorite pieces for way less by simply entering one of our promotional codes (of your choice) at the checkout. From delivery offers, to promo deals, we keep ‘em coming, so you always have the offer you...

see post

Digital Publishing From Past to Now

The Covid-19 has caused the school and universities to shut down around the world creating a major issue in Learning and Education. As this virus spreads through the interaction and if social distanci... The Covid-19 has caused the school and universities to shut down around the world creating a major...

see post

Why it’s Important to Manage Your Holiday Calendars?

A printable calendar 2021 is a prominent online platform where you download printable calendars of your choice. These calendars can be customized as per our client requirement with photo, text, logo, or any other image. If you are thinking of planning a dream vacation tour with family and kids but...

see post

How To Stop Those Frownies Appearing?


It is true that we are going to age and we are all going to experience those wrinkles that are going to make us look younger. However by following some simple steps you can really delay the signs of ageing. Frownies? Today we are going to discuss how to stop...

Practical Steps For Beautiful Skin


We all want skin that is beautiful and radiant. Many believe that the best solution is to spend a lot of money on big brand names but this can often be the biggest mistake that a person can make. The first type of skin is the normal type. For those...

Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Trying To Become Professional Musicians


There many things you need to know and do in order to become successful in the music industry. But even if you learn and do all of those things, you still might prevent yourself from achieving ... There many things you need to know and do in order to become...

Finding The Best Prices For Womens Evening Shoes


In the market for fancy new evening shoes?  In today's economic climate, it's wise to search for the best deals.  We hope this article will point you in the right direction. Women and shoe shopping go hand in hand like men and tools in that they both look for the...

5 Questions You MUST Ask Before You Market Your Next Offer


You’ve spent a long time and a lot of energy and money mastering your craft and getting your business to where it is today.  You know your God-given talents and skills have been gifted to you for a re... You’ve spent a long time and a lot of energy and...

Choosing A Great Hair Style


Great hair styles do not have to be tough in order to be great. There are quick things that ladies with all hair forms and lengths can do to give their trend a little something extra. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Funny T-Shirts for Laughter


No matter who you are or where you are from you typically appreciate the feeling of being able to express yourself with your own style. Regardless of whether we like it or not, people would judge us by the type of clothing that we are wearing when we step out...

Is Your Skin Care Of Salon Quality?


If you go to the salon on a regular basis for some pampering, you might notice that there is a difference in the types of products that they use. Are your own skin products of the same quality? Glycolic acid is one of the more recent leaps forward in skin...

How To Invest Wisely In Your Skin Care Regime


There are so many skin products that are available on the market it can be challenge in itself in determining what to use and what to avoid. I want to show you what the best skin firming face creams and lotions must consist of so that you can reach your...

Are Skin Care Products Really Worth It?


There are so many skin products that are available on the market it can be challenge in itself in determining what to use and what to avoid. I want to show you what the best skin firming face creams and lotions must consist of so that you can reach your...

Search topic

Are Skin Care Products Really Worth It?

There are so many skin products that are available on the market it can be challenge in itself in determining what to use and what to avoid. I want to show you what the best skin firming face creams and lotions must consist of so that you can reach your...

Learn more