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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:37 am

I thought it should be only fair that if we're sharing money making ideas to warn people of various schemes out there so they don't fall for them.

Make money by (insert various home based job) - I fell for a 'make money for stuffing envelopes' scheme a number of years ago. I paid $30 and all I got was information on how to make my own website selling the exact thing I just bought
Ponzi schemes - A couple years ago this was a big rage on the internet where websites boasted that you could make big bucks by just investing a little money and surfing 100 web sites a day. Of course simple ponzi schemes just involve you giving someone some money and them promising you a huge return on your 'investment'. The catch is, your 'profit' came only from the pockets of people who invested after you.
419 scams - The typical 'I want to spread my millions of dollars from my dead husband/father/cousin/uncle' letter. DON'T FALL FOR THOSE! People have lost thousands of dollars and even their lives thinking they were about to fall into a vast fortune.

Those are all I can think of right now, anyone else have some ideas to watch out for?

[Denny: formatted the text and added color]

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:13 am

Thank you for posting on this topic. It is important members are aware of the schemes as well as what works. Very Happy

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:49 pm

OMG!! I get alot of, "My name is Lord so-and-so. I don't have a bank/financial institution in the US nad need someone to 'transfer' money for me." GOD...those are annoying! I agree...don't fall for these!!

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:08 pm

LOL there is a website called 419 eater. This guy will answer the emails and basically mess with the scammers head. If you're ever bored and want some funny reading, I would highly recommend checking that website out

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:48 am

This is great info. It's important to also share the scams that are out there, along with the legit opportunities. I get spam emails telling me I've won the UK lottery and other stuff all the time. Almost feeling like answering them just to mess with them, lol..

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:00 am

Heck, I keep waiting for Irving to spam the loan board again so I can apply.

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:03 pm

Oh, yes, indeedy!! In March 2006 I had an accident and was bedridden for awhile. I was trying to find a way to make some extra money as my small business was at a standstill for a time.
Here they are, and none worked...
1. Typing for Dollars - there are many of these around the internet. Typing ads for Google and other search engines. You only have to pay $39.95 and they will teach you how to do it. Not simple at all...AND no money.
2. Don't ever answer African or Bahamas emails...need to shelter an abundance of money the government wants to pay.
3. How to build and promote your web site purchase an "e-book" from a man in Texas...he will answer the phone if you call him, but don't think you will ever get any satisfaction from that.
4. And the one we had the most fun with (LOL): Zakin Overstock warehouse. Purchase your "franchise" by paying for pages of leads where the companies have overstock items that you negotiate with them for Zakin. The commissions are large if you can get Zakin to purchase the overstocks. But...they never bought anything we found. Spent a lot of time and money here! Beware of this one. (This was actually prior to 2006.)
A guess the best thing is to just know "if its too good to be true, it probably is."

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:51 pm

Here's a GOOD one for ya!.......I recieved an e-mail, stating I can "make alot of money overnight." How, you may ask?.......according to the e-mail, I can "process Rebate checks." OHHHH PLLLEEEAASE!!!! Don't these scammers ever stop?!

Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:02 pm

All of the above, you name it, I've recieved it. I've even considered lately completely changing my email address but what a hassle that would be. Does anyone think its worth the trouble or are they likely to find you no matter what your email address is?

Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:21 pm

I have a couple email addresses, one I use only for family and friends, and the other for internet purposes (like signing up for message boards)

For the most part, because of how aggressive some websites can be (cookies, popups and adware), it's almost impossible to completely hide your email address.

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:27 pm

It really is quite maddening when you see an ad in a local newspaper, for a work at home type of job, you get your hopes up only to discover it's a scheme. Confused

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:48 pm

i keep getting the process rebates email.. not to mention the UK lottery, and my uncle's cousin's aunt,son died and i am in dire need of money and to send to to some place that i have never heard of.

Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:37 am

I've gotten a few 'invitations', from Yahoo Groups, on how to "make money." Are these scams, too?

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:58 pm

I would have to say that anyone who sends out mass emails telling people how they can "make more money" is really just out to make money themselves by suckering others into believing it.

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:47 pm

Generally, the rule of thumb about 'money making opportunites' is, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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