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| The Red Flags of Affiliate Marketing Scams |
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| A discussion of the common indicators of affiliate marketing scams. Warning signs include no support contact, no web site, no product or service, no free participation, no positive testimonials, and no track record. |
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Thanks to the legitimate business model of online affiliate marketing; many people are earning a good living working from home. Unfortunately there exists a series of affiliate program scams masquerading as genuine Internet marketing opportunities. These scams are designed to make their creators wealthy without providing value to their customers or associates. Email scams and work at home scams don't have any chance of long term success, so any time spent promoting them is largely wasted.
So what are the characteristics that reveal an Internet scam attempting to disguise itself as an honest affiliate opportunity? Since the nature and complexity of these scams change as quickly as technology, it's almost impossible to create a comprehensive list, but here are some strong indicators that a program should be avoided or at the very least examined with a fine-toothed comb.
No affiliate support contact.
When an affiliate program includes a toll-free telephone number, it's a good sign that things are on the up and up. However, the lack of a phone number does not necessarily mean the program needs to be avoided. The Internet lends itself to email contact, and most websites structure their contact support system accordingly. If the website for an online income opportunity does not include an email or a contact form, though, you are probably looking at an affiliate program scam. Once you locate the email or contact from, it's a good idea to send a message with a simple question to see how long it takes the company to respond. If you don't receive a response addressing your question within a few days, tread lightly. The company might not be intentionally trying to scam you, but if they can't quickly respond to emails, they are doing something wrong.
No web site.
Similarly a contact email without a website shouldn't instill much confidence. A legitimate online income opportunity will have a detailed web site, providing information and showing some time and energy has gone into planning. A simple website is not difficult to create, but leaves a slightly larger trail leading back to the creator than that left by a mass emailing. Again, while the presence of a web site is not a guarantee that a program is trustworthy, the absence of a web site should definitely be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism.
No product or service.
What is the company selling? If the only product is a chance to make money, you've probably stumbled onto a pyramid scheme. In order for any referral marketing organization to make money, someone on the outside must pay money to the organization. If the only people paying are joining the organization, than no income is being generated. The members are just passing money around between themselves with everyone hoping to be holding the bag of money when the music stops. Above and beyond this fundamental flaw in the business model, pyramid schemes are also illegal in the United States.
No free participation.
If you have to pay a company for the privilege of trying to sell their product and increase their profits, you aren't looking at an affiliate program. You've found an example of multi-level marketing (MLM). Not all MLM opportunities are scams, and some people are extremely successful at MLM. Unfortunately, if you aren't one of the few who can make it work; you'll usually spend a fair chunk of change discovering this MLM program doesn't fit your needs. True affiliate programs are free to join. If things don't work out the way you expected, you haven't risked any of your money.
No positive testimonials.
Even though there is no financial cost for an affiliate program, you will be investing quite a bit of your most precious commodity, time. Before making that sacrifice, it's always a good idea to spend some time scouring the Internet for people who have some experience with your program. Don't rely on the testimonials a company provides on their website to give you a complete and accurate picture. Head to your favorite search engine and see what kind of dirt you can dig up. A search with the program name and the word "review", "scam", or "experience" is a good place to start. Even high caliber programs will likely have some negative reviews from people frustrated the program wasn't a good fit for them, so don't immediately condemn an opportunity for a little bad press. Unless a program is brand new, though, you should be able to find a few positive experiences and success stories.
No track record.
A good affiliate program is going to continue to be a good affiliate program for a while. Resist the temptation to be swayed by marketing hype that urges you to "get in on the ground floor" of a brand new opportunity. Of course, there's something to be said for being the first to market with a new idea, so you shouldn't be afraid to immediately embrace an affiliate program that you feel good about and doesn't set off any of the other red flags described here. If you are on the bubble trying to decide if a program is legitimate, though, you're better off waiting. In six months dependable affiliate opportunities with quality, high-demand products will still be around, and they'll still be plenty of money to be made. Meanwhile, most of the affiliate program scams will have collapsed.
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Copyright (c) 2003-2004 Clay Mabbitt. Clay Mabbitt writes articles about online income opportunities. He is the founder of a community of Internet entrepreneurs sharing knowledge and experience at http://www.affiliatescreen.com
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Member Comments
 Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 03:35:53 PM by CINDY MACNEIL
SCAM ALERT
These guys over at agm-stores.com
have the whole setup to scam anyone willing to put up thousands of $$$$ to become part of their affiliate network, they give you the business setup and hang around just long enough for you to implement their program, after that they stop ansewring your emails, and once you find out that the web masters email address is bogus, and all of the testinonials are also bogus, then you know you have been had just like me, they advertise on all major search engines, visit their web site, it fooled me, be careful. These guys should be in jail for what they are doing !!!!!!
Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 08:07:36 PM by Janis McIntyre
Thank you Cindy
Cindy I just bought into the silver package is there anything we can do? I have put weeks of work into this already.
Janis McIntyre bomc@shaw.ca
Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 07:35:03 AM by Rena Klingenberg
Good advice
for proecting yourself against fraud. Thanks for this info!
Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 07:55:32 PM by Pat Goltz
Legitimate MLM opportunities???
Folks, even "legitimate" MLM companies aren't. This is because the hourly wage you will earn as the bottom of the downline of someone else is well below minimum wage (about $1.51 an hour for Amway, for instance), and the only way you can make money is to have a downline of people who are making well under minimum wage. So either you get cheated, or you cheat someone else. The business model of MLM is inherently fraudulent. The other problem is that most MLM products are overpriced and poor quality, and if it's an herbal combination, it is not state of the art. This is because they have to pay all those people in between.
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:41:51 PM by jane doe
Another scam
web club international
don't get in to this business. its a scam i know because i once worked there.
Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 03:03:43 PM by Shawn Johnson
All of these Affiliate Advertising Scams
I started an affiliate program a while ago. I built my own website around it. No one's looking on it, and I'm stuck with a website that no one even looks at. I'm advertising for a company, I don't know if it's because the competition is so stiff or because the company really can't make any money? Either way, I'm thinking about keeping my website taking all that garbage off my website. Starting my own web business, actually selling my own products. Hand to customer so I know that I'm getting paid. Screw all these advertising programs! Start your own business guys on the web and buy and sell your own products. Don't depend on these companies to make you some money. I'll have my web business up and running in about a year...Guaranteed!
Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 09:47:55 PM by Jack Beal
Thanks
Very informative, Thanks.:)
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 09:50:56 PM by JNHPHX
Web Club is a SCAM
Shawn is correct..
Web Club international is nothing but a scam with nothing but convicts living in halfway houses living therE!
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 05:22:59 PM by Joe from affiliateprogramscams.com
regarding affiliate program scams
hello,
my name is Joe, and I was wondering if anyone out there would be interested in sharing their affiliate scam experience with us. please email me at joe@affiliateprogramscams.com, or visit my site to contact me, affiliateprogramscams.com.
i would appreciate this very much.
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:59:35 AM by Tug Conner
Wealthy Affiliate
Can anyone offer any negative information or experiences at all on wealthyaffiliate.com. I will view any positive information as an affiliate of this site trying to sell it so don't bother. I'm thinking of joining and want to find out everything I can from those who have been there and done that before I do. Thanks to all.
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 01:23:53 PM by Brian cisz
Wealthy Affiliate "Good or Bad"
To Tug and others that are looking at Affiliate Marketing: Wealthy Affiliate, Beating Adwords, Who Loves Money, Inside the List, and some others are NOT SCAMS. Here's why... they are not a job themselves, they are products that can help you with a Job such as promoting Clickbank (#1 promoting products). Clickbank doesn't cost anything to Join and it is a Job that gives you products to promote and thats where you make money. The Problem is that without the right tools it is very hard to make $100+/day online. Now don't get me wrong not everyone who signs up for these programs will make money but it will make your chances a lot easier!!! My CTR rate on Google was struggling to make their .05% cutoff until I starting using Wealthy Affiliate and Beating Adwords from there it went up to my lowest keyword being @ 1.17% and my highest @ over 24%. And has been going up ever since! Hope this helps!!!
Brian Cisz brian@internetmarketingscams.net
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 03:41:44 PM by Rob Gordon
Web hosting
Are there suggestions for avoiding companies that do not specify unfront (annual) web site costs, and if so can you provide your own web hosting?
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 08:19:06 AM by Derek
Wealthy Affiliate
One thing I like what Brian didn't do, is put an affiliate link itself to the Wealthyaffiliate website. Makes it hard for you to trust any review on something when they have an affiliate link going right to the website that they are talking about that makes them money on the click.
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:45:43 AM by Cindy
Buildanichestore and eBay
I am looking into the idea of becoming an eBay affiliate and happened upon Buildanichestore and their software for store setup. Has anyone had experience with this company and is everything legitimate?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 01:00:14 PM by afeemomo of Imallplaza.net
Free online marketing tips
I have just started an on-line marketing business. Scam and Rip-off review sites provide one source of information. Of course some of those sites will in the next breath try to sell you their own "scam free" products and services.
After reviewing the comments of two contributors here, I have picked up a neat FREE marketing idea!
Notice the postings by Joe and Brian. Both included their email/website address in the name/comment fields (just as I did, thanks guys). The addresses of their domains appear to be relevant to the subject matter at hand. Since we are looking for information that may help us avoid out and out fraudulent schemes. We may, out of curiosity, or convenience, visit their sites using the links provided. Voila, there is traffic/potential customers for you.
I prefer Brian's. The moment I saw Joe's I could tell that a sale was coming, and that the offer of FREE would turn out have a price tag. The old B & S.
That is my two cents worth (penny, what ever)
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:21:40 PM by pokcikkayo
Thanks
This infomations very usefull for the new comer like me. Thanks a lot!
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:21:51 PM by Sue
Passport To wealth... is it a scam?
I was thinking of joining but have heard this is a scam? Anyone out there have any experience with this?
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:33:43 AM by Rick Thompson
Rateing
Thanks for guy's like you. This is going to
be my first venture and this info is really
helpful. Sincerely Rick T
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 03:27:03 PM by Earl J
Affiliate Programs Evaluation
Having experience with MLM's over the years. I believe you make excellent points.
Keep up the good work.
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 06:00:54 PM by k Gee
joining affiliate junktion programme
am hoping of joining affiliate junktion programme.can you there advice if it is a scam or not. my e-mail is chigeek2@yahoo.com
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 06:10:31 PM by johnnie jones
who is really making money on the internet?
can anyone tell me of a real internet buisness
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 06:13:08 PM by frankjjj@aol.com
a real money making buisness
can someone tell me of a real money making buisness without spending my hard earn cash.
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:34:06 AM by Hello
Is X-factor affiliate a scam?
Is x factor affiliate a scam? Any1 join it before?
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:06:55 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch-
Ok folks I have read all the above and I don't know why, but I am going to make a few suggestions here for those interested, and for those that post here that ARE NOT trying to make a buck off the unsuspecting.
First, I have been involved with ecommerce for over 4 years now, not including my time on Feebay. So while not an expert, I have learned a FEW things here and there.
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:08:05 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch #2
Advice #1 -Here is the deal - There is NO FREE LUNCH. If it is, and it is not coming from a fund raising activity at your church or school, or from a relative ( and sometimes even those are suspect), the food is probably bad, OK. The food here being money. Or making it.
There is no secret to making money folks. All it takes is work.
Now having said that, lets move on the the affiliate subject.
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:10:53 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch #2
If your serious, FIRST, get a website and sign up with Paypal( no I am not an affiliate). There are plenty of good host out there that won't fleece you. I have used ADVANCED NETWORK HOST, for some time, ( no I am not an affiliate). You can also try Brave Net, Yahoo, Siteground, etc.
Next you need to pick your market,9lets say you are into books,) then develope the site around that market. Please note, depending on the type of affilite arrangement, you may or may not need a shopping cart. But make sure the webhost has one avaiable, or the site is compatible with one, just in case.)
Now that you have a website, and a product/market, here is how to put together the site.
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:15:48 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch #3
First, you need to have a home base, or HOME PAGE for your company. lets say its MYBOOKSDOTCOM. On this home page is where you will put most of your content relating to books. you can do news feeds, book of the month review, newsletter sign up, whatever. You will also include in your website the ABOUT US , CONTACT US, pages, etc.
Include as much information regarding your market as possible, but DON"T make it crowded or make it look like a link farm. Remember that most folks only "skim" webpage’s, so don't make your text, etc to lengthy. Use a separate page for that kind of information.
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:17:04 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch #4
Now for affiliate sign up- Remember this, MANY reputable companies have an affiliate sign up. You just have to go to each and sign up. It will take some time, but in the end it is best. That way you know what info is being given about you. You also need to READ, let me say that again- READ- ALL Terms And Condition statements. You are signing a contract !
Now lets ay you sign up for one a week- that means by the end of the year, you will have signed up for 52 affiliate programs, just for ONE Website. And this is where it gets interesting, and how folks TRULY make money at this.
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:18:40 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch #5
Affiliate programs pay 4%-10% commission on average. Some do WAY Better than that.
Lets say you average $20 a day, (and you should do better than that if you have 52 affiliate links from REPUTABLE companies on your site) that’s $600 a month ! And it should not have cost you more that $100-$120 a YEAR for the website. ( that’s $8 -$10 a month!). " But what about my Time ?" you whimper. Well, What? The few days it took you to set up the site, or the 5 minutes a week it took you to sign up for each one? Well, ok, I will admit, you will have to keep your site fresh with up to date content, and make sure it is SEO'd for the search engines and you might have to advertise a bit.
But what did I say earlier about free lunch’s ? How ever ,I said nothing about using coupons :)
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 01:21:06 AM by midwest
NO Free Lunch #6 - Final Chapter
Now, one of the keys to wealth is repetition. Just start a new website for a different market ! Imagine if you had TEN websites averaging a measly $20 a day ? HMMM....
I hope this helps everyone. And PLEASE stay away from the easy money. Because it will be YOURS that is easy. WORK ! Good Luck !
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 05:29:53 PM by Evonne Duberry
World Market Systems
I am form the UK and recently joined World Market System I have purchased the silver package and paid for advertising. Is this a scam or not?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 04:19:48 AM by Barbara
Affiliate Programs
Hoping I could address question to"No Free Lunch"guy/girl,but if anyone else can help-welcome any guidance-I'm an absolute novice!With all"at home"researching I've been forced to do since brain surgery,this seems safe.Making it work-different story-I realize w/out good amount of traffic,it's worthless-am trying to figure out how/where to post sites-signed up for click bank-spent days signing up as affiliate on several sites in"market place"-never earned $-Don't know what I did wrong-began seeking elsewhere for site to promote-begun trying to learn AdSense-another called "Free Viral"another way for traffic,but haven't been successful at getting sites out there to enable traffic"Free Lunch" person seems to be very knowledgable in this regard-while I realize the chances of him/her reading this is slim,much less willing to help complete stranger,didn't think it could hurt to ask.Thank You very much! Barbara-email:splendideyesolation@hotmail.com
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:23:51 PM by Paul
World Market System
Not my own words though.
Posts: 9
employeewms is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: World Market Systems? - Info. Needed.
Hello I Use to work with world market system's and It is a scam ... Our floor manager's Jimmy Justin And Doug encourged us to try and get as much money as possible from Poor unsuspecting HOPEFUL people.. And I told hundreds of people everyday YOUR COACH'S PRIMARY JOB IS TO WORK WITH YOU ON A ONE ON ONE BASIS ... Well in all honesty if you are not willing to spend any more money your "COACH" will tell you to call cust service :rolleyes: ... And about the money back gaurente well they say IF YOU DON'T MAKE ANY[u] Money in 90 day's or less you get your money back well... They WILL MAKE YOU MONEY so you will spend any where from 99-6000$$ and you will recieve a check for 9.90 or maybe a little more and that VOID'S the gaurentee because you just made money...
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:14:31 PM by Tracey
Wealthy Affiliate
I've been looking at Wealthy Affiliate and I thought it might be a scam. I ended up asking on Yahoo answers and got some really good answers.
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:00:24 AM by josie
six figure program
I was looking for internet buz oppertunities and came across this one called six figure program which happens to be in Florida where i am and checked the address out on google earth, well not to my suprise it happens to be in the middle of an orange grove. Cant seem to find a building there at all, guess it is yet another scam, yellow pages couldnt find it either.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 06:22:50 AM by Leeb
Affiliate scams
Good, solid advice... should be obvious but sometimes it just needs pointing out
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 05:21:12 PM by Afshan
Wealthy Affiliates
Has anyone purchased this system? If you have used this online business, could you kindly tell me if you would recommend it and does deliver income as it says in the website. If you don't mind, how much income have you generated since you started?
I would appreciate it someone could share their experience..I can be reached at:
afshanfmirza@yahoo.com
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 06:32:22 PM by Steve
Affiliate Conspiracy
Anyone have any comments about the affiliate conspiracy
Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 03:16:23 PM by Jimmy Mullins
Wealthy Affiliates
I purchased the system, and for some people it may seem like a scam, but it is what you make of it, if you expect to buy it and learn the hidden secret to get rich quick, it wont' happen and you'll feel scammed. To be honest the forums at Wealthy Affiliate are worth the price. You could spend weeks in there reading posts and learning something new each post. Wealthy Affiliate is a community of people who share their knowledge and success...but it will not get you rich quick. Its hard work and lots or research.
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 04:45:39 AM by Samar Jit
Open Source Affiliate Marketing - Scam-proof.
Just thought you might find this of interest: http://producticityblog.wordpress.com/
Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:25:27 PM by duperhost
duperhost, wealthy affilates wealthyaffiliate.com
Wealthy Affiliates is big scam .. I register there and they are scam, wealthy affiliate is big scam, they also refuses to refund me the money i put claim on paypal and could not refund.
its big scam, they also says that they provides files and downloads, i didn't find anything to download, its nothing but some text to learn how to make money on clickbank ....
USELESS , don't register its bad service there also no hosting by the way
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 01:10:22 PM by Chad
German Electronics company
Wondering if anyone has heard of this? They claim they need someone in the US to have money deposited into my account for parts purchased. I am to keep 7% and send a postal money order for the rest back to Germany. They would then send the parts to the customer.
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:43:56 AM by NICK
A LEGITAMATE HOME BUSINESS
Can someone please tell me if there is a legitamate home business out there? I am disabled and need to make money at home. Every time I look at a home business that gets a good review, I google the person that gave the review and they are a scam! Waht the hell is the deal with home businesses,can I get one that I can make money ith? Someone please let me know...Thanks...email me @ nicksfishn@aol.com
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 08:56:44 PM by Tony
The True Wealthy Affiliate Review
I created a Wealthy Affiliate review site that really goes in depth on what they have to offer. I suggest spending the time to watch each video before you decide to through with it. It's an inexpensive membership but I do believe you need to be sure about it and no what you're getting before you pay for it.
Here's the address: http://www.the-true-wealthy-affiliate-review.com/
If you sign up for the newsletter you're receive 5 eBooks that WA has handed out in the past.
Wealthy Affiliate has been the best place I have found to learn about Affiliate Marketing. I highly recommend it as the place to start.
Tony.
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:29:39 AM by Sarah
MLM scams
Love this article. Very informative.
However, has anyone heard of Jonathan Budd and his MLM program? Is it legit? I have visited his "site" and it seems a bit 'off'. Also, what about those affiliate programs that only allow you to view their websites only if you have a username and login? What is that all about?!? Shouldn't there be a website THEN an option to login if you're a member?
I would greatly appreciate any sound advice!
Thanks!!!
Sarah
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:47:34 PM by Extra Paycheck Blog
Wealthy Affiliate
Wealthy Affiliate is not really a system that makes money for you, it's a community where you learn about making money on the internet, using inexpensive (even free) legit ways.
BUT if you just want to sit on your butt, do nothing and make money - it won't happen.
Alex from blog.extra-paycheck.com
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 08:35:54 AM by chilledmama
wealthy affiliate
I was about to purchase the WA program, but still researching other forum if they have been really make money using their system? How long does it take before you reach the level of earning from this system? they ahve a membership fee of $29.99 /month, Others claim before they reach the 2 month period they have been able to earn. Has anyone earned already using this program. It's really hard to find a legit one. Unless you have experienced it.
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:50:50 PM by Alex Sol
Wealthy Affiliate
In the first 10 days of being with WA I made over $200 but this is not the same for everyone. People who put in their time and effort will make money, the ones who are lazy will not. It is simple ;)
Alex from blog.extra-paycheck.com
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:19:58 AM by MARIA GONZALEZ
PROFIT LANCE
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS PURCHASED THE PROFIT LANCE PROGRAM AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:24:57 AM by poopoo
poopoo
poopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoo
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:26:26 AM by eatshit
eatshit
eatshiteatshiteatshiteatshiteatshit
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 05:46:25 PM by Dean Greenstreet
Thank You
I am starting in on line marketing but with affiliate marketing as do not feel sure of my self on the click in/on strategy-as I understand you sell a product for a legitimate company and receive a commission-it is straight forward but as I become more educated in the on line marketing will take more indepth look at pay per click-
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 09:01:18 PM by Danny M Henley
Affiliate Marketing Scams
I am new to Internet Affiliate Marketing. I have been looking at a few and I am impressed with what is offered. This article points out things that I have actually looked into. It is a very good article.
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:29:13 PM by Steve
Scam Network
i just wanted to warn people who do affilate network to stay away from exclusivecp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 01:42:15 AM by EaglesReach
CopyNProfit
This is run by Jamie Lewis and Lance Tien. I joined a few days after is started up. Sounded good. The 1 on 1 support they promise to "overdeliver" on seems to be coming up short. I am an absolute newbie, did not even get a welcome on the site, asked a couple of simple questions and got ignored. I even PM'd Jamie and no reply at all. One thing they HAVE been able to do is to bombard me with emails for other promotions every day without fail. And at least three of those are out and out scams. And in the forum, I read about a lot of troubles members are having trying to get their sites - which are just copied - running. It does not appear that they have their members interests at heart at all. Their sales page is great, the actual results....not so much.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 04:52:36 PM by michael
sixfigureyearly
Just wanting to know if anybody has purchased this program and has had success with it. Thanks
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 10:20:29 AM by JustWarningU
Google Automated Income Kits
Google Automated Income (not really affiliated with Google search engine.)
I almost fell for this, but decided to read the tiny print at the bottom of the check out page underneath where they asked for your credit card info. Once you give that information, believing that you are only paying $1.97, you are agreeing to a 7 day trial to members website - after which your card will be charged $84.27 a month for life, a 14 day trial to blog2promote.com - charging you 14.97 a month after the 14 days, and a 21 day trial to seo2promote.com, charging you 9.97 after the 21 days. This is a total of $109.21 a month charged to your card. They say you can cancel your subscriptions, but do not give a phone number or any info as to how to cancel these charges. PLEASE BEWARE!!!!!!
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 10:22:58 AM by ConsiderThis
SixFigureIncome
This is a quote from another site that I found. It accurately describes how work at home scams work:
No product or service.
What is the company selling? If the only product is a chance to make money, you've probably stumbled onto a pyramid scheme. In order for any referral marketing organization to make money, someone on the outside must pay money to the organization. If the only people paying are joining the organization, then no income is being generated. The members are just passing money around between themselves with everyone hoping to be holding the bag of money when the music stops. Above and beyond this fundamental flaw in the business model, pyramid schemes are also illegal in the United States.
Yes they are illegal, but it is virtually impossible to catch and stop them.
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 10:39:57 AM by ConsiderThis
OOPS!!
Sorry, I found the above quote on this site. I have researched so many trying to find a legitimate online business and info on scams. Looks like I am discovering more scams than anything else!!!
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 02:58:45 PM by heba
loftyprofits
Can anyone tell me if loftyprofit is a scam or not? and if there's any good affiliate program or business opportunity for people who seek a work at home?Thanks
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 09:09:36 AM by Reality
GET REAL,PEOPLE
Unfortunately, ALL of the affiliate marketing schemes ARE scamms. They are designed to make money for their creators, not for the people falling for them. They are not selling a service or product, but only a chance to make money. They are pyramid schemes. You may actually be able to make money from them, if you can advertise enough from your sites and get others to fall for the same thing, but you are only keeping the pyramid thing going, and at some point it will crumble. I believe that all of the people speaking favorably for the MLM's are only trying to promote them in order for themselves to continue to profit from these schemes.
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 09:22:06 AM by Reality
PRODUCT????
When you join any one of these MLM's - if they tell you that you are selling real products, do you ever find out what these "products" are, or only how to "market" them online.
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 03:47:37 PM by maximara
Beware pryamiding
One should also beware pryamiding (where you get commissions from recruiting new members) a practice that the FTC states is ILLEGAL in most states (Multilevel Marketing Plans, FTC).
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 01:34:14 PM by debbie
six figure program club
has anyone joined this program with ben and dave and is it legit or is it a scam they are offering free web page
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:43:55 PM by Reality
six figure program club
Please go to http://www.worldlawdirect.com/forum/money-frauds-scams/21809-six-figure-cash-machine-jennifer-baxter-8.html
THIS PROGRAM IS DEFINITELY A SCAM AS ALL OF THE MARKETING PROGRAMS ADVERTISED ON THE INTERNET ARE. This web site has comments from other victims of this particular scam.
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:26:56 AM by tryingtohelp
Information
Update: May 11th
The BBB has more details:
On April 24, 2009 the Texas Attorney General’s Office announced charges for operating a fraudulent work-at-home scheme against Infusion Media Inc, GoogleTreasureChest.com, InternetIncomeInitiative.com, and Jonathan D. Eborn (”Defendants”), whose “GoogleMoneyTree.com” promised six-figure earnings for conducting specialized Google and Yahoo Internet searches. According to the state’s enforcement action, GoogleMoneyTree failed to clearly inform purchasers that they had been enrolled in monthly memberships and had only seven days to cancel their trial membership. Purchasers who failed to cancel within seven days were automatically charged $82 on their credit card statements each month. In addition to the unexpected credit card charges, customer complaints obtained by state investigators indicate that GoogleMoneyTree failed to actually send the “free kit” and refused to honor customer refunds.
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:38:50 PM by ginger
looking
looking for a legitimate home business or data entry to make approx. 1000 per month...Senior citizen, semi retired, overworked walmart employee..
seeking REAL work from home. Appreciate any helpful information.
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