The Latest Scams Circulating the Consumer World. Be warned. Be informed.
November 2007
Insta-Business Scams
According to PC World, Best Buy and Circuit City have come up with a new way to rip off customers who are buying new computers -- and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with extended warranties this time.
The Pitch
Has someone recently tried to offer you "the business opportunity of a lifetime?" The Arizona Republic reports that the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission are getting increased complaints about these bogus business opportunities. The pitches that people are getting are very convincing. They're often delivered in hotel ballrooms, but also can come via word of mouth or from someone you know.
The Scam
There is no such thing as an "insta-business" guaranteeing you a high, annual income. Most people wouldn’t mind earning extra money, so it is  our natural inclination to believe these high-promising pitches. You should always keep in mind that, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably IS too good to be true.” In other words, “It is false!”
Play it Safe
- Do some third-party research at the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Do some third-party research at E-bay. Look for someone who is offering a product or strategy that could cost you thousands of dollars for a ridiculously low price of $1.99. Most likely this person already paid money and got ripped-off, so now they want to warn others about the scam.
- Take the time to do your research before you attend an event or buy a product. Once you step foot into the meeting room, you are going to face an intense, high-pressure sales situation, and it is going to be hard to say, “No.”
Source: www.clarkhoward.com
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