Our blog posting “Facebook Misleading Users with Display Ads: Grant Access Club Scam” has generated quite a few emails and comments. Clearly these types of ads work on some people, but the more information out there on such sites, the fewer people get caught up in the mess of falling for them. Here are some general rules on the Internet to help avoid these scams:
- Nothing is free. Either they are selling your information or gaming your credit. Everything on the internet has a price.
- If you decide to buy…before pulling out that card, read the terms of service or terms and conditions. Make sure you are not agreeing to a subscription service or ridiculous shipping rates.
- If you are worried about the integrity of a business, don’t use it. There are lots of credible options out there.
- Do a search on the company name before you buy–if it shows up on Rip-Off Report , WordsCause, or any other site that collects scam reports, leave it alone.
- No one gives away money, not Uncle Sam and not Google. No products let you get rich by gaming the system, unless its a criminal enterprise.
- Avoid Multi-level Marketing companies (MLMs). MLMs are designed to siphon money off members to make the top tier wealthy. The bottom gets the shaft 100% of the time. Unless your form the MLM, you’re on the bottom.
- If a deal is “that” good, they wouldn’t need to advertise. So, always doubt the easy money–there is no free lunch.
- Be aware of fake blogs. Landing pages that look like blogs are set up to trick you with fake comments and testimonials. They are also there to jockey google. Nothing good can come from fake blogs. Just be careful not to be a sucker.
- Finally, use the internet (their own tool) against them. Do homework and let others on the net know of scams you discover. There are great sites to report your findings, including Waffles at Noon, Scam.com, Rip-Off Report and Uncle Sam’s own Federal Trade Commission.
Remember, the power of the web is YOUR ability to get and disseminate information. Don’t get scammed.
Oh ya… avoid VistaPrint at all cost!
Peace
~DK
