Introduction to Internet Scam Alerts

Welcome to Internet Scam Alerts!

We will show you how to avoid internet scams and rip-offs.

During the last 20 years or so, I have seen and been the victim of a few scammy programs and worthless products. I have wasted time and money buying bogus products.

I learned the warning signs. Here they are for you.

If they do not accept PayPal for payment, it is a good bet they are not a legitimate program. PayPal is a major online payment processor. PayPal has very strict guidelines related to multi-level and network marketing companies. If there is a hint that a company is a scam, PayPal will not approve payment. Don’t accept any excuses from a company representative as to why they don’t use PayPal. Of course, many merchants use the services of credit card processors and take payment via credit card.

If the price is too good to be true, then be careful. Many scammers lure people into making purchases with extremely low prices for expensive products. High-end electronics are a good example. But the scammers have no intent to deliver the product. Also, scammers frequently sell bogus name brand products. Amazon recently sued several Amazon third-party sellers for selling fake products.

If there are pictures of money, expensive cars and homes (ostentatious display of wealth), it is most likely a scam. The intent of the pictures is to create an aura of success and credibility.

If the sales page offers an endless stream of free bonuses usually with inflated estimates of value, the product being sold is probably worthless. If a product is that good, there is no reason to offer a bunch of bonuses. However, legitimate marketers may make offers as incentives to buy such as Buy One, Get One (BOGO) free or for the cost of shipping.

If the program promotes a get-rich-quick program where no work is involved (they do it for you), run fast and far away as possible. If there is no work involved on your part, why do they need you? They don’t. Just your money.

If there is a extremely low cost of entry, there is a high probability that there are big “upsell” costs lurking behind the initial cost. $7 and $17 appear to be popular price points for these scammy programs or products.

If the sales page is either anonymous or has a “talking head” guru, it is probably a scam. Scammers tend to hide behind anonymity to avoid contact with potential victims. There are some successful business people who personally promote their own products because there is a demand for them. There are also the so-called gurus who are hired to promote someone else’s product. These are the ones to be cautious.

If the product is marketed at a low cost, has a long guarantee period and is marketed through one of the affiliate networks, be careful as the product may be of questionable value. I, personally, have had more problems getting refunds from sellers who use JVZoo to market their products than Commission Junction, ClickBank and some others. Don’t get me wrong, I have had great success with some JVZoo affiliates.

And, finally, the video or PowerPoint Presentation only website may be a scam or promotion for a worthless product. These are the sales pitches “by the number” used by either incompetent marketers or scams. The intent is to create curiosity, interest and desire on part of the viewer to watch until the end to make a purchase. Some of these “presentations” can run 30 minutes before you know what the product is.

Hope this helps and saves you the frustration and cost of being scammed.

Read the latest posts about scams.

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