Sad but true scammers are on the rise in 2010, once again.  Honestly, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to know what to look for.  Maybe, you think you know a scam when you see one but really they are getting so clever.  Here is one I covered recently “Profusion X scam“.  This is really a cash gifting scam which really isn’t affiliate marketing, but does have a lot of the same attributes.  So one of the types of scams I want to talk about today are Internet marketing or affiliate marketing scams.  These are so popular because affiliate marketing or Internet marketing appeals to so many people.

Here is what to look for:

Of course they use Western Union only.  Why because their PayPal account has been shut down.  Get this they also will accept Paypal sometimes, just because there are loopholes in every system.  (also see “Paypal Scams.”)  Rip a bunch of people off, and close your account; I’ve seen it time and time again.  How are you going to get a refund from a non-existing account?

Bad Site Design

Big flashy text.  Not all sites that have big flashy text are scams, but a poor design can really tell a lot about a site.  True you can have a really flashy design and still be a scammer, but a lot of the times these scam sites look outdated.  Check out these two outdated scam landing pages (RebateProcessorJobs Scam and Underground Cash Secret scam.)  Affiliate marketing or Internet marketing scams will also make outrageous claims like “make 100,000 in first month.”  Come on the only way to do that is by using PPC and you have to be a stud to do that.

What Were About – Nothing?

No “about me” page.  Every site should have an about me page regardless of what kind of business they are.  An affiliate marketing or Internet marketing scam will not have an “about us” page.  Recently, I came across a scam site that had a 2 sentence about me page…LOL.  Holy shit, are you kidding me, you want me to invest money with you and you can’t even write a full paragraph on yourself.  I have seen this a lot, also a does it sound professional or did someone write something there, quickly.

Look Were Great

Testimonials bug me a lot, seriously.  Whenever I see them on a site I tend to think they have something to prove.  These really really piss me off.  It is almost like, “look we are good, Wally from Kansas says we are.”  I see this ALL THE TIME.  A Internet marketing scam with a story about how John went from rags to riches and it was so simple he didn’t have to do anything at all.  Heard it before?

What Have You Seen

I forget what site I was looking at the other day, but they had all these flashy cars,boats, RVs, and a mansion.  The sad part is people actually feed into it.  If you really offer a great affiliate marketing service then you will not have to build yourself and put yourself up on a pedestal.  What are some affiliate marketing or Internet marketing scams you have seen lately?

Google is banned in China wouldn’t you believe it!  This is bad news for anyone looking to have some SEO work done in China or any scammers (in China).  You aren’t going to get ranked in Google now.  China has actually been banned by Google.  It is about time, seriously.  Really, it was no surprise to me, because well lets face it a lot of sites in China are set up to rip people off.  Don’t believe me check out my how Alibaba Scams work.  I have personally shut down a lot of China scam sites.  I am sure their head con artist are not happy about it, but who cares what they think! China bans Google, right or wrong move; please keep reading.

Honestly, I am actually stoked about Google doing something like this.  It has been a long time coming.   Don’t get me wrong I am not stating that every site in China is fraud, but over 90% of the stories I get are hosting in China.  There is obviously a huge problem.  You know how many have been ripped off by phony sites.  A hell of a lot of them; I can tell you that much.

Big Problem In China

So a big problem that has been found in the search engines in China.  A lot of sites (over 4,000) of them have been shut down down because of pornographic material.  Actually, I was reading lately that the Chinese government has been thinking about installing software (filters) to limit what people in China look at.  This is for various political reasons.  The Government in China has been highly criticized for this and a number of people are outraged by the restrictions that might occur.  Also, I should note that over 500,000 have been blocked in China.

China Bans Google, Good Move

I mean lets face it, everyone loves Google (well most.)  It is how we find the information we are looking for on the Internet.  I think it was a good move however a lot of people would disagree with me (mostly people in China.)  However, if I am not mistaken users in China also have access to a handful of other good search engines like Yahoo, MSN, and Bing.  So was this the right move or do you think it was a rather harsh move?  Please any ideas or incite would be appreciated.

This article was posted on http://www.report-online-scams.com

It almost sickens me that there are so many scammers out there in todays world.  Even worst is these con-artist have actually gotten really good at ripping people off.  In fact, honestly I never thought I would be scammed in a million years.  I have so much computer knowledge, but at the same time scammers know how to play their cards.  It always seems like they have a pair of aces, as well.

So out of frustration I really did start this site, and me being a designer I could really help a lot of people from having to go through the types of stuff I went through.  I displayed my SEO skills and have helped thousands of people save their money and not fall victim to online scams.

Well, I did want to talk about the mentality of scammers today.  A scam by definition is a fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.  It makes great since that scammers will go to great lengths to rip honest people off.  They really don’t care one bit about you, but will take you for all you are worth.  I have received hundred of stories from people that have been ripped off and something honestly needs to be done in order to clean up the Internet.  Believe it or not I do read all your emails.  Might takes some time but I do read them all.

Scammers Want Your Money Period

Ever feel like you are being rushed to do something?  If something is truly legit it will be around for a long time.  Legitimate offers do not come and go.  Con-artist come and go.  Do your homework before buying online.

Take Advantage of You

Believe it or not if they are not rushing you into something they actually get a trill out of delaying you for a long time and then burning you.  One case I heard of recently is a guy from China (or so he claimed to be from) put someone off for 6 months before burning him on a scam where he ripped him off through Paypal.  I didn’t report this scam due to the request I got, which I respect.

Got Something To Prove

If you are a lier or cheater than I can understand that you have to prove yourself.  You can build yourself up and put yourself on a pedestal.  Testimonials and everything are always a joke to me at least.  Imagine a scammer saying this to you, “see here is my Paypal account and it has been shut down.”  I make so much money they shut me down.  Yeah, right big baller!  Here is my business license, ect.  The lies could go on and on, but a really good con-artist knows when he/she has you right were where he wants you.

Believe me if something looks to good it is.  Scammers are getting very sophisticated and it really unfortunate that there are so many people out there that can’t make an honest living.  What tactics have you seen that scammers are using?

True the Internet has made it a lot easier to spend money online but with that credit card frauds, scams have been evolving left and right.  So bear in mind that Internet shoppers do know that it is a lot more secure to give you credit card number to a trusted site where they can process your order.  However, it is actually less safe to give your credit card to a waiter or waitress at a restaurant.  People are dishonest in today’s world and who’s to say that the waiter or waitress doesn’t jot it down and use it elsewhere.

Statistics have actually shown that you have a better chance of someone using your credit card if you give it them over the phone rather than on the Internet.

We have included three tips to help you keep you safe so that you are not a victim of credit card fraud:

• 1.  Never ever use your credit card online if a site is unsecured. You are just asking for trouble if you use your card at an unsecured site.
• 2.  Don’t ever respond to an email that ask for your credit card information.  This is the number one way in which scammers get your credit card information.  These are called phishing scams and people are getting ripped off for millions of dollars each and every single year.
• 3.  If you write your credit card number down make sure you write it in reverse order, my mom talk me this one.  Thanks mom!

Just use your judgement when doing things online.  If you lose your credit card call the bank immediately and most of them have a 24/7 hotline you can call to help you avoid credit card fraud.  Also, did you know by law you are not liable for a credit card that is lost for more than $50.  In fact, a lot of banks actually waive this fee if you have a good reputation with them.

Today I want to talk about these scams you commonly see on eBay (please see eBay scams) or Craigslist (please see Craigslist Scams).  Maybe you have seen it in your local classified ads to when buying or selling a car.  I don’t know, maybe it is just me, but I am not a fan of buying and selling cars online (well, what I mean is sending someone money to ship a car.)  A car/truck is a big investment and people are getting ripped off like crazy with this scam.

Not saying you can use the Internet to look at cars that are local and then go look at them in person.  That is ok, and recommended.

These scammers are persistent because it is high payoff for them.  Basically, they will approach you and try to send you more money with a cashiers check in order to get you interested.  (please see overpayment scams)  They want you to ship the car because they are out of town, too far away, or one of the million other reasons they will give you.  They don’t mind emailing you back and fourth in order to make several thousands of dollars at a time.

Lets say they even want to pay you through Paypal which they are now doing.  This is secure right?  Well, if you have been reading my other post recently you might think twice about it again.  Seems like, I have been covering a lot material on Paypal and eBay lately.  But really chargebacks (please see chargeback scams) are a way people are getting away with several thousand dollars scams.  Even worse is the seller will then lose their car.  Talk about getting screwed over!

The moral of the story is just don’t send someone a car/truck if they pay you PayPal or want to send you a check (even bank check.)  99.9% of these fake and you will get burned really bad!  Just use your head, too.

Looking to defeat these “trial offer scams”?  It can be a major thorn in your side to pay a couple dollars for something only to find out that your credit card has been billed a hundred dollars every month until you stop it.  Even worse trying to get the bank to reverse it!  There has got to be a solution for stopping this troublesome scam.  Well, there is and here is how you do it:

First and foremost, just read the fine print.  90% of the time they put it in their fine print just to cover their ass.  Yeah it is a dirty game, and if you are cheat it is even a dirtier game.  So here is how to fight back with Paypal:

PayPal (Ways to fight back)

If you are going to take a chance with a free trial use a single secure credit card.  It will not be linked with your checking or savings account.  However, do please remember to save your receipts for the transactions, though.  This is a card that does not carry money on it.  Also, if you are having trouble finding a way to use it, you will have to download a plug-in for PayPal.

If you simply decide that this free trial is just not for you close the secure single use credit card.  You are doing nothing illegal and these people that do these scams will not get anymore money from you.  Thus, you have not violated any fine print or anything offered by this “free trial” site.  You simply don’t have the money and they will not allow you access anymore.  Big deal right!

Good luck with this and stop getting these surprise bills that I know you all hate so much.

All Buyer No Seller

Similar to Paypal sellers on eBay really don’t have any protection.  Case and point, lets say you sell someone something it, and they just don’t like or something really silly that you don’t have any control over.  They would be inclined to leave you a negative feedback.  This hurts your record, whether you are business or just use it for personal reasons.  Do you know what I mean?

More often than not, people have left sellers negative feebacks and the seller can do nothing about it.  You then, can reply to this, but it is still on the seller feedback, not the buyers.  You do not even have the option to leave the buyer a negative feedback.  The only options you have are to leave a positive feedback or leave one later? Any problems with this?

What is the deal with this?  Just like Paypal if you are not happy with something you get a refund no questions asked?  This really upsets me as a seller and I am tired of people being able to leave a negative feedback only to hurt my reputation and I can’t do a damn thing about it.

Help Sellers Protect Their Name

There needs to be something done about this.  eBay and Paypal both do not give the seller any protection at all.  What is wrong with this picture?  I guess if you are a buyer you can do whatever the hell you want.

Furthermore, I believe we should start a list of buyers that are unreasonable, and do not give the sellers the option to make things right before lashing out at them.  Please feel free to leave you comments of buyers that have left you negative feedbacks for your items/services on eBay.  Something needs to be done about this!

6 Ways To Prevent Identity Theft
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gary_Gresham]Gary Gresham

These six ways to prevent identity theft offer you valuable tips against the fastest growing crime in America today.  In 2004, more than 9.9 million Americans fell victim to many types of identity theft scams, costing them nearly $5 billion.

Their finances were severely hurt because they never thought it would happen to them.  Hopefully, this article will help many of you so you won’t become a new victim of this terrible crime.

Here are six ways to prevent identity theft.

1. Shred any documents you receive that contain any personal information. This includes credit card receipts and pre-approved credit applications.  This important tip alone can offer you more protection against identity theft than any other suggestion here.

2. Never give personal information to people over the phone, on the Internet or through the mail.  Identity thieves will claim to be from the government, your bank or even law enforcement.  Keeping your personal information private is one of the best ways to prevent identity theft.

3. Check your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus at least once a year and look to see that everything is accurate.  If you find an error, dispute it immediately for protection against identity theft.

4. Be aware when your bills usually arrive every month and check them over carefully.  Thieves can steal your credit card statements and this popular type of identity theft has been around for decades.

5. Don’t use common numbers like your birthdate or the last four digits of your Social Security number for your ATM password.  If you have done this change it immediately.  This is a common mistake people make and one of the quickest ways to prevent Identity theft.

6. Never give out your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary. Your employer, financial institution and doctor need it for identification and tax reporting. But if someone else asks for your Social Security number, always question why they need it and be cautious when giving it to anyone.

For maximum protection against identity theft keep any personal information about you as private as possible.  Use these 6 ways to prevent identity theft and you will have a much better chance of avoiding this nightmare.

Copyright © 2005   Spyware Information.com   All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by http://www.spyware-information.com where you will find free spyware cleaners, downloads, removal software, valuable tips and updated articles about adware and spyware that show you how protect yourself from identity theft.  For other informative spyware and identity protection articles go to http://spyware-information.com/articles_1.html

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Ways-To-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=45951] 6 Ways To Prevent Identity Theft

Highly Recommend reading our LifeLock Review.

This SCAM has several names, BEWARE, Google Easy Street, Income Easy Street, Creative Search Training, Creative Synergy Training.
They lure you in with what appears to be a news site, with Google, CNN, Forbes, MSN Money, etc. logos, like they are endorsing this.

Get Google Home Cash, only pay the $1.95 for shipping. (The shipping cost allows them to screen for serious people). The next thing you know, you are billed $129.95.

In the Terms and Conditions in fine print at the very bottom of the page (you have to click on the link to open it up) which I over looked, as well as many other have, it says:

By submitting this form you are ordering Creative Search Training and the trial membership for $1.95 Instant Access. If you do not cancel within the 3-day trial period, you will be charged a one-time amount of $129.95. In addition, you will be provided access to an online Learning Center which will bill at $39.98, unless you cancel, 30-days from the date of enrollment and you will be re-billed every 30 days at $39.98 per month until canceled. To cancel call 888-753-4203 M-F, 7am-5pm, MST within 3 days of the date you ordered.
You will also receive a Risk Free 14-day Trial membership to HomeSource. You may cancel anytime during the trial period by calling 1-800-537-0984 M-F, 8am to 5pm, MST. If membership is continued you will automatically be charged $29.95 a month.

I made this mistake on a Thursday evening. I was getting this information for my daughter, so I put in her information, I paid for the transaction. Her computer crashed Friday morning. Sunday morning I got a text message from my bank, saying I had a $129.95 transaction pending, logged into my account to try to figure out what it was. It posted differently than what my conformation said that it would, but I finally figured it could have only been from this site. Tried to log onto their site, it kept saying invalid user name and password.
Tried to call them, but of course the office was closed until Monday. On Monday, they told me it was in the terms and conditions…. 3 days…, well they charged my account ON the morning of day 3. They refused a refund.

They have only had this site up since July, and have already had over 130 complaints filed with the BBB.  There should have been many more.  Since this happened to me, I’ve read hundreds of posts where people have had the very same problem with these people.

These are some of this scams other web addresses.

googleeasystreet.com, wowclickmoney.com, creativesearchtraining.com, internetrichgurus/103109/?su…

Have you ever sold something on eBay?  Paypal is safe right?  Think again!  I have been selling stuff on eBay for about 8 years.  They do offer “buyer protection”, which is just what it says, it is for the buyer…not the seller.  Case and point, let’s say you are selling an item for 2,000 and everything is good.  Well, the buyer has 60 days to decide if they are like it.  What?  Keep reading!

There is a thing called chargebacks and guess what with your American Express card you get three of them a year.  No questions asked, just do a charge back and you screw the seller out of their money.  If there was no conformation on the product your money is in the hands of complete stranger…sounds fair right!

Paypal Do Something!

Here is a solution, why don’t you at Paypal start monitoring these chargebacks.  Say someone is always doing them, you think they might be a con-artist?  I am really getting sick and tired of my money being at the hands of Paypal.  They offer ZERO protection for the seller.  None whatsoever!

I would highly recommend that you not use Paypal because they really don’t offer any protection for the seller.  I have been screwed over time and time again by this and paypal really needs to address this issue.  Use Escrow because they are so much better than Paypal.  For more Paypal horror stories I highly recommend you check out this site: http://www.paypalwarning.com