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November 22, 2004 07:13 AM

Get-Rich-Quick & Self-Employment Schemes


Excerpt: Scam artists offer a wide array of "get-rich-quick" and self-employment schemes that target consumers who are looking for an investment opportunity, part-time employment, or the chance to start a home-based business.


Scam artists offer a wide array of "get-rich-quick" and self-employment schemes that target consumers who are looking for an investment opportunity, part-time employment, or the chance to start a home-based business.

If you’re tempted to respond to an opportunity to make a lot of money fast...

Be skeptical about "get-rich-quick" advertising claims.

Ask companies for written substantiation for claims in their presentations, especially those about success rates.

Be aware that "experts" who endorse a product often are paid by the advertiser.

Be cautious about "testimonials." They may be paid for. They may not reflect the experience of most consumers.

Be wary of purchasing a program if company representatives give you evasive answers or aren't willing to answer your questions at all.

Before you buy, decide whether the price reflects a fair market value.

Be wary of promises of free money or low-interest government loans. As a rule, these are available only in limited circumstances.

Don’t be pressured to purchase immediately. Good opportunities are not sold through high pressure tactics.

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The Lowdown on Chain Letters (November 22, 2004)
Everybody's received them - chain letters or email messages that promise a big return on a small investment. The promises include unprecedented good luck, mountains of recipes, or worse, huge financial rewards for sending as little as $5 to someone on a list or making ...
The Bottom Line About Multilevel Marketing Plans (November 22, 2004)
Multilevel or "network" marketing plans are a way of selling goods or services through distributors. These plans typically promise that if you sign up as a distributor, you'll receive commissions - for your sales and those of the people you recruit to become distributors. These ...
Could 'Biz Opp' Offers Be Out For Your Coffers? (November 22, 2004)
It's easy to see why ads for business opportunities like these appeal to consumers looking to make extra money: They promise good pay for little effort. But, as many consumers who have answered these ads have learned - and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ...
Costly Coupon Scams (November 22, 2004)
Cents-off coupons are providing big bucks for scam artists who offer business opportunity and work-at-home schemes featuring coupon certificate booklets and coupon clipping services. Using the Internet to market these so-called opportunities, fraudulent promoters are promising entrepreneurs, charity groups and consumers earnings of "hundreds per ...

Read all 32 posts in the same category of Anything Else:

‘Tis The Season For Wall Street Bonuses - Dec 17, 2004
Coping With Rising Rates - Dec 14, 2004
Financial Resolutions - Dec 11, 2004
IBM Cash Balance Plan Ending - Dec 09, 2004
John Snow Staying On At Treasury - Dec 09, 2004
Topping Off the Biggest Gas Tank - Dec 07, 2004
What To Do With A Dud Gift - Dec 07, 2004
Putting Your Financial House In Online Order - Dec 07, 2004
Social Security Reform: A Guide - Dec 06, 2004
The Disparate Consensus on Health Care for All - Dec 06, 2004
Giving Children Funds As Gifts - Dec 05, 2004
Bank Machine Dispenses Fake Money - Dec 02, 2004
Account Aggregation: All-In-One Convenience - Dec 01, 2004
A Life Fulfilled - Nov 30, 2004
A Seal Of Good Giving - Nov 28, 2004
More Are Saying It With Plastic: Gift Cards The Holiday Present Of Choice - Nov 26, 2004
Use Open Enrollment To Review Health-Insurance Plan - Nov 25, 2004
The Pitfalls of VOIP - Nov 23, 2004
Business Airfares, Down 11%, Might Be Lowest Ever - Nov 22, 2004
International Lottery Scams - Nov 22, 2004
Work-at-Home Schemes - Nov 22, 2004
Medical Billing Opportunities: Worth a Second Opinion - Nov 22, 2004
The Lowdown on Chain Letters - Nov 22, 2004
The Bottom Line About Multilevel Marketing Plans - Nov 22, 2004
Could 'Biz Opp' Offers Be Out For Your Coffers? - Nov 22, 2004
Costly Coupon Scams - Nov 22, 2004
8 Lottery Winners Who Lost Their Millions - Nov 22, 2004
Ranks of U.S. Millionaires Surge - Nov 16, 2004
What Wal-Mart Knows About Customers' Habits - Nov 14, 2004
How Much Are You Really Worth? - Nov 06, 2004
What the Bush Victory Means for Consumers - Nov 03, 2004