No matter where you go on the internet there are ads or links to site that offer some kind of work at home, home based business. Most of these sites of course have something to sell. In most cases it's an ebook or some out dated information. The sad thing is that a lot of these sites are just plain scams. Plain and simple. And what is really sad is that everyday there are many people out there that buy into the hype of easy riches.
Scams and fraud come in a sort of ways on the internet. You can get them thru unsolicited emails that look like the real thing. These are called spoofing or spoof emails. The emailer send you something that is urgent and it needs your attention. These emails redirect you to bogus websites for you to buy something or leave personal information.
Other sites are bogus buy lists that sell worthless junk at high inflated prices. This can come via emails or even links from ordinary websites and even from ads and forums. Always use caution and if you are in doubt, click the back button and move on.
Below are some links to various websites that offer insight into scams and other shady types of business. We ask that you do some investigating for yourself before you payout any money or time into the many online business's that are out there.
Small
Business Administration - U.S. government organization for aiding
small business owners. Federal
Trade Commission - Watchdog arm of the U.S. government for consumer
issues. Better
Business Bureau - Reporting mechanisms for fraudulent or unscrupulous
businesses. U.S.
Department of Justice - DOJ's website for educating the public
on Internet fraud. Federal
Bureau of Investigation - The FBI's advice for avoiding Internet
business fraud. Fraud.org
- National Internet Fraud Watch Information Center. U.S.
State Department - Overview of typical business scams both inside
and outside the U.S. IC3.gov
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center receives, develops and refers
complaints of cyber-crime. Consumer.gov
- FTC portal for research in comsumer issues. On
Guard Online - Practical tips to help you understand computer
security and guard against Internet fraud. CommerceNet
- Organization dedicated to enabling safe business practices on the
Internet. Library
of Congress - Business Reference Services provides resources for
business practices on the Internet. Federal
Citizen Information Center - Database of scam, fraud and recall
resources. Firstgov.gov
- Portal for research in government databases for all business practice
information. Office
of the Inspector General - Fraud prevention and detection resources
and reporting.
