Scam on you!

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Scam artists have probably existed since the beginning of time, but has the emergence of internet spread what seems to be a virus that strips people of integrity? Has the temptation to make fantastic sums of money - at the expense of others- propelled previously honest people to embark on less-than-admirable endeavors? Horrifying!

Certainly, many more people than ever before are looking for ways to supplement their income (or lack thereof), through internet opportunities. Unfortunately, it seems, one is more likely than not to encounter internet scams.

This is exactly why we need to participate in protecting ourselves by being aware of the facts. The opportunities to get scammed are endless, so what do we do? Be aware. Knowledge is power. Just being aware and skeptical of any offer could save you a lot of headaches. There are plenty of resources available for our protection, so the possibility to make money online is still viable. We just need to proceed with caution. Beware of anything that sounds too good to be true - it usually is.

The aim of this lens is to create an overview of some very basic ways to avoid getting scammed. That's the first step - the idealist in me would ultimately like to see the eventual eradication of all internet (and other) scams, but let's be realistic. One person can only do so much. Together, we can do a lot more. Remember the slogan "If you see something, say something." Don't let known scams go unreported.

Let's put an end to these demoralizing practices now!

One of the most common categories I've seen lately is for "Google Cash" or "Google AdMoney" where people claim that Google will pay you for posting links. The ones I read were really convincing, and it seemed to make sense that Google would pay for this kind of work. After reading the first one, I mentally cataloged it as something to undertake in the near future. Having read the same claims from others again and again, I really was nearly convinced that this was legitimate. Luckily, it occured to me to visit Google's homepage and search for the opportunity. At the bottom of their site you'll find a link for "About Google." It took quite some time before I found the disappointing truth, so how I got there is a bit foggy, but it was posted on the Google Blogs. That's right - sounded legitimate but wasn't! I was fortunate to discover this before it was too late, but I really feel for those who've gotten sucked in. The following links should be helpful for anyone who's been "scroogled," or anyone wanting to research a possible Google scam.

Learn how to make money online with Google! All you need to earn money with Google, is a free Blogger account, combined with a free AdSense account. It does take time to build up a steady stream of traffic, though. The best way to make money blogging, is to write about something you feel passionate about. In other words, forget about making money - write what you love and the money will follow!

You've heard it all before: "Earn $1000 a day with paid surveys!" Honestly, does this sound a bit overoptimistic? Sales pitches often use clever phrases (usually in small print, hoping people won't notice) such as "results not typical." That phrase "results not typical" kind of says it all: these fantastic results may happen, but usually only once in a blue moon. Use common sense and good judgement, and you won't be disappointed later. Use the following links to get reports from others who've tried to make money online. Just keep in mind that you don't know these people, either; so take everything with a grain of salt. Good luck!

All anyone has to do to get an idea of how many scams are running rampant all over the internet, is to go to a site like Y!A and post a question. A typical question that comes up ALL THE TIME is "Are there any legitimate work at home opportunities that aren't scams?" Over and over people are asking this, and it's almost comical how many of the "opportunities" offered are obviously scams. The scammers will never stop trying to fool people (unless they're caught), so our best defense is to stop being so trusting. A clever salesperson can sell just about anything to anyone. So the next time you're looking to earn money online, ask yourself or ask someone else - "Does it look like a scam?"