Though, some of the sames like the Nigerian Price scam is – to me incredulous - the thought that people falling for it. But I have been taken by a scam on the internet – so I can’t really say anything. Here is my story.
How I got Took for $500+ Online:
It was in the wild west days of the internet when a forum member wanted me to sell something for him on eBay. Since he didn’t have an account and was selling a website (sold for over $10k – I believe) I would get the fees and a premium back.
Please keep in mind I was 15 years old at the time. Needless to say after he sold he left me for the fees of the auction – pretty smart because the website he was selling was worth completely nothing . Imagine what a little photoshop could do back them. Well, the naive me has changed for the better. Now I’m completely critical of any offer to make money online.
But times are changing and the common internet scams are changing so read below to watch out before you encounter a scammer. Other Popular Internet Scams that people fall for:
Nigerian Letter a.k.a. I need your Assistance to unlock $20,000,000
These scams were featured on 20/20, or dateline – tracking down the Nigerian scamers who took thousands of dollars from people in the United States. Anytime people are willing to give you 10% of $20,000,000 for a handling or service fee – be cautious.
How it works: You get an e-mail from a Nigerain Price or Son of a Wealthy Businessman – but he needs your desperate help – thats why he contacted you via email. He is willing to give some of the money locked away – if you provide up front cash to unlock the funds. You pay the cash, and never get the funds. So simple and stupid – but it works for them.
Advanced Fee Scam a.k.a I sent too much by mistake – send me cashiers check for the difference
This one is a little less ridiculous on the scam scale. Scammers really love this one – because it is so versatile and can be employed in so many different ways. You could be selling a service, product and be hit by a unsuspecting buyer.
How it works: Most of the time some type of transaction is occurring - but sometimes these scam artists get tricky and creative (be careful). Lets say you sell something online and the seller sends you a check for the payment, soon after they contact to acknowledge the difference in payment (they over paid for the product/service – opps how clumsy) – ask you to send a cashiers check or money order for the difference. Once you go to deposit the check – it bounces.
Pyramid Scam & MLM a.k.a. Work From Home and Earn $5,000 a Month
This scam is older, time tested, but prevalent online. Most people know this scam, as it is very similar to MLM scams.
How it Works: Typically, but not always, you buy into some sort of home-based business. Then you can sell some product or service, and for even more money you can sell the home-based business to other friends or family and earn a commission of what they sell. This represents a sort of pyramid scheme that allows you to earn of people you’ve brought in. What they don’t tell you is after a while, the market is saturated with sellers and the only people making money are the ones who sold the program.