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From the lens Scam on you!.

  • May 24, 2012 @ 1:48 pm | delete
    I thought I've heard about all the IM scams but here are more and more...WOW! Thank you for this top of the line lens. Like it tweet it.;>)
  • WebGenova May 17, 2012 @ 4:34 am | delete
    Wow! That's one of the most useful lenses i've ever met ;)
  • WriterJanis Apr 4, 2012 @ 1:46 am | delete
    You've shared some very valuable info here. Thanks.
  • mihgasper Mar 24, 2012 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    Life is full of scams and internet is no exception. I had been lucky so far, but you never know... Thanks for the tips!
  • ilike2create Feb 28, 2012 @ 1:04 pm | delete
    good that you inform people here about those scams so they don't have to lose money and be disappointed. Nice lens!
  • TraceyFitzgerald Feb 1, 2012 @ 9:02 am | delete
    Fortunately, I have never been a victim of one of these scams. Your sharing this information will help other people from getting hurt. Great job!
  • Thrinsdream Dec 31, 2011 @ 6:55 pm | delete
    Yey, once again you have helped me (1st on the forums). Once again, thank you.
  • davespeed Dec 29, 2011 @ 7:58 pm | delete
    All of us trying to learn how to make money online need to be on the lookout for scammers. Thanks for sharing this info with us.
  • goo2eyes Dec 20, 2011 @ 5:45 pm | delete
    i receive hundreds of scam letters from africa everyday informing me that i inherited some millions of money or i won the lottery which i did not play. scammers all over this world.
  • TrentAdamsCA Dec 18, 2011 @ 10:48 pm | delete
    Good points. It's great to educate people about what to watch out for. There are so many scammers. Thanks for your work on this.
  • Luv2help Nov 23, 2011 @ 5:04 pm | delete
    I bet for every 10,000 work-at-home jobs posted, only one is legit. Sad, but true.
  • billybraveheart Nov 17, 2011 @ 10:18 pm | delete
    Nice lens, agree lots of scam artists out there, I got caught up in the web, learned my lesson and now do a lot more research before jumping in
  • KacyK9 Nov 13, 2011 @ 9:41 am | delete
    It's sad how many scams there are out there but that's just life I guess. And I guesses we've all been scammed in one way or another!
  • molometer Nov 12, 2011 @ 7:46 pm | delete
    Good info thanks
  • spartakct Nov 2, 2011 @ 10:06 pm | delete
    Nice informative lens!
  • COUNTRYLUTHIER Oct 28, 2011 @ 4:31 pm | delete
    Nicely done fraud lens. Thanks for helping find the rotten fish out there!
  • Serenity30 Oct 13, 2011 @ 2:19 pm | delete
    Thanks for the advice. For newbies like me, it is likely for scammers to get us ensnared. Fortunately I haven't got scammed yet.
  • partydepot Sep 18, 2011 @ 10:39 am | delete
    Good, solid advice. I cannot believe these companies are still getting away with this unethical behaviour.
  • whiteskyline Aug 18, 2011 @ 4:59 pm | delete
    Captivating title! You had me at scam :)
  • dbcclarke Aug 16, 2011 @ 1:46 am | delete
    This lens was absolutely ammazing....loved all the ideas! I do have one question...is squidoo the only place you make money online from?

    thanks
  • SarahGh Jul 20, 2011 @ 4:02 am | delete
    Great lens!
  • MaxL Jul 15, 2011 @ 6:08 am | delete
    Great lens! I featured it on my online money making myths lens. I'd be happy to change what I wrote in the featured lens module, should you not like it the way I did it ;)
  • shaleigh Jul 11, 2011 @ 1:16 pm | delete
    This is a much needed topic and people need to report when they have been wronged! I myself have had my first encounter with being scammed by a PTC site and now know the resources to report it, Thank you :)
  • BeyondRoses Jul 11, 2011 @ 11:02 am | delete
    Though many are scams, a problem with some is overstating what the average person could possibly make, and understating the time it takes to make any of those potential earnings. Lots of good info for work-at-home hopefuls.
  • good4us_all Jul 8, 2011 @ 12:32 am | delete
    Thank you all for the lovely comments. I appreciate each and every one of them!
    ;-)
    Karin
  • Appollonia Jul 7, 2011 @ 9:20 pm | delete
    Lots of information here. Very informative. I hope this helps some people keep from getting scammed.
  • Tolovaj Jul 2, 2011 @ 10:14 pm | delete
    Well written article with a lot of room to expand.and youdid not even the other type of scam, where the money is offered without any kind of work (lottery winners, nigerian letters etc.). Thanks for your list, I will be checking it from time to time.
  • beardvc Jun 30, 2011 @ 2:05 am | delete
    While there are a lot of scams around, there are also a number of legitimate paid surveys companys "get paid to" surveys sites where you can make some money online.
    People ask me all the time can they make money online? my answer is simple some people do great and some people do terrible, just find WAH that you can enjoy doing than the money will come.
  • Tipi Jun 27, 2011 @ 10:22 pm | delete
    If it sounds too good to be true.....yup, it is! Very nicely done with valuable information for us all to review from time to time.....we have to be on our toes for sure. I love your "Your're already a winer below".
  • artyfax Jun 26, 2011 @ 4:26 pm | delete
    very useful information which would be very worthwhile arming oneself with. Thanks
  • PatriciaJohnson Jun 25, 2011 @ 9:26 am | delete
    Very sound advice. These ads prey on good honest people who are looking for real ways to earn a living. Thank you so much for the info.
  • fxmatics Jun 25, 2011 @ 12:07 am | delete
    I am make a living from online business (online trading). Great lens! :)
  • EcoGecko Jun 24, 2011 @ 6:18 pm | delete
    Yeah I would also put never go for any money making schemes where you must pay before you can start making money. Also bear in mind for affiliate ads your reputation is relying on it to be legitimate only affiliate for sites you have used and loved should really be posted and affiliate links don't have to be on how to make money its been done before many, many times and people are weary of scams as well as huge competition. Squidoo seems legitimate to me many people would support this but saying that very few are earning much through lens rank alone so more ways like selling your own ebay products or choosing affiliate programmes from legitimate sites to promote.

    Also I use a different search engine where you get points for searching (it's legitimate but you earn very little, at least its ok for something that you wouldn't normally get any bonuses) anyway they had an advertisement on their site of a news article which was promoting something where you earn money I got suspicious so looked it up on search and apparently they make fake articles where they say some work at home person earns money and generates a fake news paper title using your location. Try to click off the page and they send you tonnes of pop-ups are you sure sort of thing, are you sure your sure... not exactly that but similar (which just screams scam). Anyway what they want to do is sell you tools and claim that you will make money out of thin air with them so don't go for anything like that I didn't but when I looked it up some people had. They also change their name often. Don't sign up for anything before using a quick google search to at least check if people have had any problems with them. I reported them to my search engine with what I had found out I don't know if they did anything about it but I hope they did. Just remember that a company can never keep running if it doesn't profit from something and no one would sell you a tool for a few hundred if they can use it themselves to make 1000's monthly why wouldn't they just make multiple sites instead of selling it to people. Anyway be very, very careful scams will evolve and become more difficult to recognise keep one step ahead and with some luck and effort it could be possible to make a bit extra money on the internet.
  • mukeshdaji Jun 8, 2011 @ 7:04 am | delete
    Great information here, it's so tempting when things aren't going well, it's the people who can afford it the least that usually end up losing.
  • CruiseReady May 3, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
    So good of you to make this lens. Too many people are being taken advantage of these days!
  • careermom Apr 12, 2011 @ 9:59 am | delete
    Good information. I will say though while it may be helpful to look at the types of complaints on with the BBB, I wouldn't trust their ratings. ABC did a good story on the ratings being bought and I've seen that happen first hand. These companies really do prey on people's vulnerability. People don't want to admit that they were scammed. You point about reporting it is so important. It is the only way to make a difference.
  • Kyetsu Apr 11, 2011 @ 9:27 am | delete
    There are so many people out there that rely on other people's desperation to make money. This is a great resource that I hope those people will read BEFORE falling into one of those scams. Great job! =)
  • LillyQueen Mar 23, 2011 @ 5:55 pm | delete
    Your lens has been added: http://squidoolensdirectory.blogspot.com/2011/03/work-at-home.html
  • good4us_all Mar 23, 2011 @ 6:14 pm | delete
    Thank you!
  • UKGhostwriter Mar 21, 2011 @ 10:36 am | delete
    Tremendous resource, well done!
  • hayleylou Mar 19, 2011 @ 5:59 am | delete
    There are so many scammers out there, blessed :)
  • good4us_all Mar 19, 2011 @ 3:40 pm | delete
    Thank you so much, hayleylou! It's such a great feeling to get a SquidAngel blessing.
    ;-))
  • gypsiedream Mar 7, 2011 @ 1:41 pm | delete
    great tips
  • SueM11 Mar 6, 2011 @ 6:07 am | delete
    Thanks for those tips as so many people fall prey to the many "opportunities" to make money online.
  • Mrmakingusmile Feb 27, 2011 @ 10:34 am | delete
    I have talked to so many people who have been tricked or caught up in a scam. Do the research. Good lens.
  • KimGiancaterino Feb 22, 2011 @ 7:11 pm | delete
    Thanks for helping to arm people with the facts!
  • good4us_all Feb 22, 2011 @ 8:41 pm | delete
    My pleasure! Thanks so much for your support , KimG
    ;-)
  • costar1 Jan 25, 2011 @ 4:43 pm | delete
    Seems like every time I turn around there is someone trying to scam me online. This is an Excellent lens. I hope more people find it. Good Job!
  • good4us_all Jan 25, 2011 @ 4:47 pm | delete
    Thank you! You can help spread the word through FB and Twitter ...
    ;-)
  • Dawn_Mathisen_aka_Candle_Dawn Jan 17, 2011 @ 8:32 am | delete
    Great informative lens. There are legitimate ways to make money from home but there are also many scams running rampant. It's important to do your homework, and do it well. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Real opportunities require honest work for honest pay same as if you had a job. There are no get rich quick answers.
  • kimark421 Jan 15, 2011 @ 6:20 am | delete
    Excellent lens. Unfortunately, 99 percent of the money making "programs" out there are nothing more than a vehicle to prey on the desperate. What a shame. There ARE ways to make money on the internet, but they require WORK, time, patience, and even a little luck. Thanks for spreading the word on the scams!
  • ElizabethJeanAllen Jan 14, 2011 @ 4:56 pm | delete
    If it sounds too good to be true is probably is. There are no shortcuts. Hard work will pay off in the end.
  • good4us_all Jan 15, 2011 @ 1:02 am | delete
    People tend to forget this when under the spell of a clever sales pitch ...
  • J9a2m6e8s5B Jan 14, 2011 @ 7:53 am | delete
    I find most "get rich quick" scams to be quite obvious. It's the Multi Level Marketing programs that can be misleading! Maybe a section on that would be informative to readers!
    Great lens!
  • good4us_all Jan 15, 2011 @ 1:00 am | delete
    Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look into that and do some research.
    ;-)
  • GuyB Jan 14, 2011 @ 6:22 am | delete
    Thanks for the informative lens. From now on I will be like a cheetah in cyberspace; on the prowl for scams. Best of luck to you!
  • good4us_all Jan 15, 2011 @ 12:58 am | delete
    You go Guy! Thanks, and good luck to you to.
  • PaulOnBooks Jan 12, 2011 @ 5:54 pm | delete
    Excellent info: lensrolled to my anti-scammers lens.
  • good4us_all Jan 15, 2011 @ 12:56 am | delete
    Thank you so much!
    ;-)
  • Susan52 Jan 11, 2011 @ 6:22 pm | delete
    Sometimes I wonder how people could fall for what to me seems like an obvious scam, but then I think, "Pride cometh before the fall" and realize that scam artists are very sophisticated and I could be taken in by a scam, too, if I'm not careful. I try to be careful, but I'm not going to say it will never happen to me. Shame on people who take advantage of others, though. Seems they could use their talents honestly and productively instead.
  • good4us_all Jan 15, 2011 @ 12:55 am | delete
    Well said!
  • Sodaguy Jan 7, 2011 @ 7:16 pm | delete
    Thanks for the valuable info.
  • good4us_all Jan 7, 2011 @ 8:33 pm | delete
    You're welcome!
    ;-)
  • JodiVee Jan 7, 2011 @ 2:01 pm | delete
    Scammers rely on people's greed and sloth -- the solution is to subtract your emotions (as much as is possible) from decisions involving your money, and adopt a skeptical attitude when looking for alternatives to a regular job.
  • good4us_all Jan 7, 2011 @ 8:31 pm | delete
    People looking to work from home aren't necessarily greedy or lazy. Some are desperate, others are hoping to create a better life for themselves. In any case, it is good advice to separate emotions from business matters. Thanks for your input.
  • 2muchtrash Jan 4, 2011 @ 2:53 am | delete
    It seems that no sooner than one scam is exposed there are 10 taking its place. I am not excusing scammers by any means, but I think the responsibility falls squarely on the consumer's shoulders. Caveat emptor! As long as their are 'suckers' scammers will prevail, but if everyone gets wise, they have no fools to fool. Great lens, and I hope it reaches millions of people. Desperation is a key factor in the success of scams. It is like a gambling addiction. Down to your last $20 and you think THIS is going to be the one that hits the jackpot. When it comes to making money online, there are enough people willing to give you the information you need to get started, and if you do enough researching and use platforms such as Squidoo, there is not need to buy into any empty promises.
  • good4us_all Jan 5, 2011 @ 12:25 am | delete
    I agree that we need to participate in protecting ourselves. Knowledge is power. So, if you know millions of people, please tell them all to stop by (lol)!
    Spread the word ...
    ;-)
  • ShirlW Jan 2, 2011 @ 7:01 am | delete
    Great tips in information! Too bad so many good people fall prey to scammers.
  • good4us_all Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:39 pm | delete
    Thank you! It is a shame that there are so many scammers, as well as victims. Hope this helps to change that in the future. I was so touched by your story - you should really consider publishing it. All the best for the new year!
  • Ladymermaid Dec 31, 2010 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    Best wishes in the New Year.
  • good4us_all Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:27 pm | delete
    Best wishes to you too, Lorelei (such a beautiful, mystical name!) Congrats on your recent Lens of the Day ...
    ;-))
  • Blonde_Blythe Dec 30, 2010 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    Very helpful lens! Thank you so much for your invaluable advice! :)
  • good4us_all Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:17 pm | delete
    You're so welcome! Thanks for your amazing artwork! <3
    ;-)
  • foovay Dec 15, 2010 @ 2:15 pm | delete
    Good for you for having the courage to tell it like it is!
  • good4us_all Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:13 pm | delete
    Courage? Uh oh ... now i'm scared (lol)!
  • gypsyman27 Dec 5, 2010 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    Very good lens, I wish I had all this advice about scams online years ago. See you around the galaxy...
  • good4us_all Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:12 pm | delete
    Hope you didn't learn the hard way, gypsyman! Congrats on your purple star for "renewable energy" - i nominated it for lens of the day ... hope you win soon!
  • kougar Nov 24, 2010 @ 9:28 am | delete
    Awesome lens. Well researched and informative. Thanks
  • good4us_all Nov 24, 2010 @ 1:42 pm | delete
    Thanks so much!
    ;-)
  • good4us_all Nov 26, 2010 @ 2:41 am | delete
    *
  • mskaylay Nov 21, 2010 @ 10:59 pm | delete
    I like the color of your lens and thanks for sharing this information. Keep up the good work.
  • good4us_all Nov 21, 2010 @ 11:15 pm | delete
    Thank you! I'm really proud of the way my new lens, news headquarters, turned out. I've certainly learned a lot of lens-design tips from other lensmasters. Welcome to Squidoo, and have fun!
  • LouieWrites Nov 19, 2010 @ 11:30 pm | delete
    Great lens!
  • good4us_all Nov 19, 2010 @ 11:48 pm | delete
    Thanks so much, and welcome to Squidoo!
    ;-)
  • scambaiting Nov 16, 2010 @ 4:29 am | delete
    You created a great lens of very hopeful information for lot of internet users.
    Keep up the good work.
    Thanks
    scambaiting
  • good4us_all Nov 17, 2010 @ 3:00 pm | delete
    Glad to help! I like what you've done on your sites too - feel free to send people this way.
    ;-)
  • javrsmith Nov 10, 2010 @ 1:37 pm | delete
    Great advice. Thanks for providing this information.
  • good4us_all Nov 10, 2010 @ 7:55 pm | delete
    You're welcome!
  • tagsforkids Nov 1, 2010 @ 9:48 am | delete
    Some great info as these days you need to be aware of the danger that lurks beyond!
  • good4us_all Nov 1, 2010 @ 5:02 pm | delete
    Thanks, Steve - glad to help! I absolutely LOVED your Squid Art Lenses, and will be back to visit the others when i have time. Keep up the good work ...
    ;-)
  • SafeCard Aug 7, 2010 @ 7:07 am | delete
    Great lens!
    We have to be vigilant these days as crime rates is always on the rise.
    We should be careful about the information we share especially in social networking sites.
  • TwitterSecretsGuide Apr 15, 2010 @ 1:25 pm | delete
    Nice information.
  • MysticTurtle Mar 18, 2010 @ 8:56 am | delete
    We all have to be so careful. Thanks for this lens.
  • LoKackl Mar 14, 2010 @ 12:42 pm | delete
    Very helpful as a resource, as well as commiseration. I "bit it" one time with a Google scam that looked like a tutorial. My bank refunded the amount I paid and I reported them to Google. Never thought about the FTC.
  • PetMemorialWorld Mar 9, 2010 @ 1:18 am | delete
    Some great scam resources. I had to create my own plan of action after being taken in by a particularly nasty one - I have posted it at refundtactics.com if anyone needs to know how to put a campaign together. Good luck to anyone trying to fight these people who shatter our dreams.
  • lasertek Feb 23, 2010 @ 7:17 pm | delete
    This is really very helpful. Sometimes, we tend to be so trusty and forget about the possibility of scams. Hope a lot of Internet users will read this wonderful lens. 5*
  • good4us_all Feb 28, 2010 @ 2:22 pm | delete
    Thanks so much ... I hope they do too!
    ;-))
  • jgelien Feb 20, 2010 @ 2:12 pm | delete
    I get so sick of the ways that people continuously find to prey on others, especially in this economy when people are desperate to make ends meet.
    It's also not just the internet. I have recently received not one but two of those fake checks that come in the mail telling you that you have won this money and if you just put this check in your bank and send the cash to a certain address that your taxes on the prize money will be paid for you. of course, people do it and the check bounces while the scammers have collected a couple of thousand dollars. The checks even have those places on them for thumbprint identification to make them look more legit. Disgusting. Keep in mind that if you never entered a contest you can't possibly have won one. Thank you for this very important lens. 5*
  • good4us_all Feb 21, 2010 @ 2:58 pm | delete
    They prey on our hopes and dreams, and we want so badly to believe. Once we realize how common a practice this is, dismissing these false hopes immediately becomes a lot easier. Thanks for your input.
  • good4us_all Oct 28, 2009 @ 6:25 am | delete
    So glad to help others, and thanks for the tip about e-mail addresses, poddys. If you like this lens, please spread the word! ;-))
  • spunkyduckling Oct 13, 2009 @ 8:36 pm | delete
    This lens is great. Sometimes we tend to forget the scary disadvantages of the internet. I'm glad I visited.
  • winstngwaf Sep 9, 2009 @ 7:19 am | delete
    I can see from this that you really care ,thank you for helping not only me but many others.
  • Starving_Artist Aug 17, 2009 @ 6:59 pm | delete
    Thank you for listing ways to research scams...this is very useful!!!
  • poddys Aug 16, 2009 @ 3:32 pm | delete
    I know some scams are very clever, but most are not. I never cease to be amazed at how people fall for some of them. One thing I do to protect myself is to use multiple email addresses (mostly forwarding addresses). That way, if I receive an email that is supposedly from my bank, paypal, ebay etc but it's sent to the wrong address, I instantly know it's a fake, no matter how convincing it might look. 5***** for a good lens.
  • good4us_all Jul 20, 2009 @ 2:29 pm | delete
    I'll be adding more links as I find them. Readers who know of other good links, as well as suggestions are welcome to add them here. Or just blow off some steam - that's how this lens got started!
  • good4us_all Jul 15, 2009 @ 11:07 pm | delete
    Hi Maraiya! I'm so glad you found this helpful. The problem with a lot of these scams is that people don't read the fine print. It's SO IMPORTANT to do so! If the print is so small that it's difficult to read, it's always possible to copy it to a Word document and enlarge it. Yes, it takes time to read so many boring rules and regulations, but think of the aggravation you'll have saved by not getting scammed. I'm so glad you got a refund (keep checking though, until you're sure you got the money back). I've read other cases where people got their money back, and will try to find the info soon. There are apparently legitimate ways to make money on line, but I haven't ventured so far as to try any of them. Will let you know if I find any that work. Even if you can't prove not checking off boxes and the like, it may be worth it to file a complaint just to make the authorities aware of that particular company. If enough people complain about the same company, they may be stopped. Good luck
  • Maraiya Jul 15, 2009 @ 1:31 pm | delete
    Very helpful lens! I will refer back to it whenever I want to report someone or check on whether something is a scam or not. I am very concerned about this problem same as you are. I recently got scammed by an Internet business that I thought sounded extremely legit, but wasn't. When I realized what they did, I talked to them on the phone and made a big fuss and I got my money back. (They charged me for an additional product that I never ordered, and they had plans to charge me for more products I didn't order in the future). Sometimes just talking to them verbally and acting real threatening stops it and gets you a refund. I'd report them except that it was something I couldn't prove. They said it was in their literature and I didn't read it and they said I had checked off the boxes to have them charge me for these things, which I'm sure I didn't; but I have no way to prove it.

by

good4us_all

aka "kittycat karin"

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