How to Avoid Being An Online Scam Victim

More and more people are using computers every year. Internet usage has been a part of the family household and having a computer and an internet access at home is pretty convenient since everything can be done online from researching your school work, getting directions, to shopping online and even online jobs.

Internet browsing could also make you vulnerable to internet scams, those that are promising hundreds or thousands of earnings a week or a month asking you for a one time payment and so on for you to be able to join the program or do the online job. And due to this economic hardship more or less, you would be tempted to give it a shot. Here's some few tips on how to avoid and recognize a potential online scam website offering an online job.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Watch out for an online job asking for payment.
   
   Think many times before deciding on joining or sending a payment for a website offering an online job where you need to send a payment first. This could be a one time payment for you to access their website, making sure that you are serious about joining, and so on. Think about this, "Shouldn't YOU be paid for your work? NOT you paying them money to allow you to work."

2. Check if the website has a contact number.
   
   See if there's a contact number on that website that is offering an online job. If there is, call the number to make sure that it is working. Say that you wanted to learn more about that job and how it really works.

3. Check for the address.
   
   Don't you think a real and legit job should have an address along with the contact number displayed on the site?
   
   If there's no business address displayed on the website, ask for it when you call the contact number. Record the conversation, ask for the name of the person on the other line, and say that you would appreciate having their business address so that you can contact them by mail in case you can't reach them by phone.

4. Call BBB (Better Business Bureau) or visit their website.
   
   Go to BBB website and search for that online job that claims to be legitimate. Read reviews about that site (if there's any review from other users.) Or give BBB a call at 1-800-385-3074 and ask for information about that job.
   
   (See resources below for BBB website.)

5. Do a search online.
   
   Go to a search engine like Google.com and search information or reviews about that online job that is asking for a payment for you to be able to join. People who have been scammed online usually write reviews, reports, and blog their experienced about these scam websites.

6. Check ripoffreport.com site.
   
   In addition to searching online, you may also check ripoffreport.com website. Reports of scam websites and online jobs are submitted and posted on this site from scam victims warning others about the program and the online job they had joined that ripped them off.
   
   (See resources below for Rippoffreport website.)

Resources

• Ripoffreport.com
• BBB website