Don’t Be A Travel Scam Victim

Don’t Be A Travel Scam Victim
By Terrell James

You had the idea to travel to somewhere exotic. You finally made a decision, you want an adventure. You want to explore a beautiful country. You may also want to explore the jungle. You might also bring a friend or a loved one. Then an email comes along in your account that says you won a free vacation. Before you go, it is essential for you to be aware of predators. No, I am not talking about animals. These predators are human, and they set up schemes to trick you into a scam. He will try to gain your trust, then steal and run away with your money. He usually will sound like someone who is polite and seems to be an honesty person. Unfortunately though, these types of predators come in all shapes, sizes, and are from different countries.

You should always be very cautious about traveling if someone tries to “pitch” something to you about a trip. The predator may try to sell you a “cheap discount bargain” for your trip, or claim to you excitingly you won a wonderful trip to somewhere half-way around the world. Here are some things you should know:

When you are planning a vacation you should have and receive full details of the total price, specific information of the package, and any penalties in writing before paying. You should never pay or give your credit card number unless you are confident about the company. Scam artists will almost never give full information in writing until after you paid them. A lot of times even after you do pay, you will not receive any more details. If you do receive anymore information, chances are there will be conditions and situations which will make your trip more expensive. If you think you are interested in the offer, you should ask WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED. A lot of travel scams will add on fees and service charges after you pay for it.

Travel scams are designed to trick victims and come in different forms. You should be very skeptical of phone, email, and mail offers that state you have won or been selected as the lucky winner. Deals offered by email are almost always a scam, and this is especially true more so for a contest you yourself have not even signed up or applied for. A lot of times you did not really win anything. You will be instead asked to pay a lot of fees to receive your “reward”. If you really won anything, it shouldn't cost you anything to get your prize. It is like that old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.”

About the Author: The author of this article Terrell, is the webmaster and owner of the new website http://www.costa-ricatravel.com/ which is about his backpacking experience in Cloud Forest in Costa Rica.
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Avoiding Adoption Scam Artists

Avoiding Adoption Scam Artists
By Matt Ryan

As with anything where a person or persons hearts and feelings are involved there are quick buck artists out to make a quick buck by pulling on the heartstrings of those who wish to adopt an infant or put an infant up for adoption. It is unfortunate, but true and all too often people involved in the adoption process wind up losing thousands of dollars and having their hearts broken.

The most common tell of an adoption scam artist is they immediately ask for money. They are looking for the money even before setting up a face-to-face meeting with potential adoptive parents. Avoid this at all costs, insist on meeting in person to discuss the generalities of the adoption offer and inform whomever you have made contact with that there will be no money exchanging hands prior to this meeting.

Perhaps the most powerful scam is that of the scammer posing as the birth mother in a dire situation. They will often ask for money to pay lawyers fees to get the adoption process moving. In this case, simply ask for the name of the attorney and contact information. With this data in hand, make contact with the attorney yourself and ascertain if the request is on the up and up. Adoptive parents have the advantage in this instance, as they are not required to obtain legal assistance for the birth mother of an infant up for adoption. In addition, if proven to be on the up and up, the retainer fee should be sent directly to the attorney.

To avoid a majority of the birth mother type scams it is imperative that probable adoptive parents obtain an actual physical address and live telephone number where the birth mother can be reached at any given time. Never send money, airline tickets, bus tickets or airplane tickets. Money can be spent, most often untraced, and tickets of any variety can easily be taken in for a refund.

Before making a majority of agreements with the birth mother of the infant up for adoption be sure to obtain undeniable proof of pregnancy. Have these and any other documents scrutinized by professionals, even insist that the inspecting professional get into contact with the author of the document. Further regards to documents are the timely manner in which they arrive after being requested. If the mailing of them is continually delayed, or excuses are made when the items haven’t arrived then it is probably time to scrutinize the situation with a little more vigor.

Another tactic is the use of ‘friends’. An adoption scammer will pose as somebody acting on behalf of a pregnant friend who would like to put her baby up for adoption and make contact with as many people looking to adopt as possible. To avoid this scam, immediately inquire about contact with the actual birth mother. If this request is denied from the onset, avoid it at all costs. If contact is indeed granted, take measures to ensure that the birth mother and the ‘friend’ are not the same person. Be aware of similarities such as the same phone number, address, IP address if on the Internet and any other things that may seem certifying the potentiality of a scam.

In the beginning stages of adopting, adoptive parents must be extremely aware of the potential of getting scammed. It is often hard to not get emotional at a time like this, however, being cautious and maintaining composure can prevent future heartbreak
and lead to a happy ending. About the Author: Matt is the developer of http://www.infantadoptioninfo.com
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Don’t Become The Next Victim Of A Scam

Don’t Become The Next Victim Of A Scam
By Mark Walters

The best defence against scams is knowledge. There are so many scams, but in all cases, a little research and patience will prevent you becoming the next victim.

Corporate Sole/Church Organization Scam

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Eric Messier was permanently barred by the federal court from marketing a tax fraud scheme. According to the Department’s Tax Division, Messier advised customers that, by using a “corporation sole,” they could avoid paying federal income tax. Messier conducted his business through the Liberty Fellowship and the Liberty Holdings Trust.

Customers paid Messier $2,500 and $10,000 to participate in the scheme. He used a loop hole that authorizes religious leaders to hold property and conduct activities in a corporation sole, but only religious or charitable organizations qualify. Messier falsely told customers to create a “church” with no tax-return filing, and still use the assets and income for their personal benefit. Messier must give the government a list of member names, addresses, phone numbers, and taxpayer identification numbers.

Tax Haven Abuse Scam

James L. Tolbert of Los Angeles, is banned from preparing federal income tax returns for others. He promoted a tax scheme by representing, that their members are not liable for federal income tax because they are “citizens of another state or country.”

There are some alternatives to this scam that catch investors. The ‘secret to success’ is the fact that the investments are made on the Chinese Stock Market, and as they are not in the US, but foreign income, the investor does not need to pay income tax or be ruled by US regulations.

It is easy to fall victim to this scam because the person organizing the scam usually has a legitimate status in the financial or investing community. They are people who should know the loopholes.

One of the most common is where wealthy Americans are encouraged to hide stock and cash in offshore companies by disguising his ownership of the corporations that hold those assets. Victims of this scam are told they can hide their wealth, avoiding taxes, avoiding Capital Gains, and even avoiding losing the money in a divorce.

Most investors steer clear of emails that promise new opportunities in offshore investing or prime banks. Offshore company will promise huge returns from offshore investments that are bogus.

A typical offshore service provider sets up corporate formation agents and trust companies. These service providers establish the offshore corporations and trusts that serve as the recipients of assets that are transferred offshore. The client never needs to travel to the jurisdiction, and the client’s name typically appears nowhere on the formation documents.

Of course, this is illegal. It doesn’t matter where your income is earned, and what currency you are paid, it is subject to income tax. The biggest concern with offshore scams is that they pop up, and disappear without notice, taking all their investor’s money with them. As the investor was involved with an illegal practice, they cannot ask the government for help. In fact, if they do report the scam they may find themselves faced with high fines and even jail time for tax fraud.

Prim Bank Scams

Another scam involves prime banks. Prime banks are the top 50 banks in the world. Internet hucksters ask for investors money so they can invest in risk-free, high yield prime bank financial instruments. However, they invest in high risk, speculative investment vehicles that have absolutely nothing to do with prime banks. Avoid prime bank schemes like the plague. In fact, some bold con artists make it sound easy to start your own off shore, prime, bank.

People fall for these scams because they drop terms such as ‘guaranteed certificate,’ Prime bank letters of credit, and pension funds. The victims are told that institutions will buy "Prime Bank letters of credit" from banks, but regulatory restrictions prevent the banks from selling directly to institutional investors. This is where the victim falls prey. They are told that a middle man is required to handle the transaction at a contractually prearranged profit.

Sometimes they are told the person will be ‘hired’ for a position, other times they are told they will be a middle man. They are told about the amazing opportunities made possible by pooling. And that the original company is old, and respected by industry leaders, Sheiks, and Kings.

Any program that asks an investor to step out of the protection and regulatory bodies of their country are always suspicious. If it also demands a certain level of secrecy, then the investor knows they have uncovered a scam.

About the Author: Mark Walters is a third generation entrepreneur and author. He offers free training and investing videos designed to speed you towards financial independence http://www.cashflowinstitute.com/videosignup.htm
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Protecting Yourself From A Romance Scam.

Protecting Yourself From A Romance Scam.
By Alan Prince

1. Never give out personal details to the person you are chatting with. Remember that you just met, and are getting to know each other better.

Keep such important personal details such as your home phone numbers, work addresses,credit cards and bank account details from your new friend.

These are the details that scammers are always in a hurry to get from you.

It's not unusual for a chatter,who is a scammer to insist on having your phone number right away so that he or she can call you.

Once you give out your phone numbers, then be prepared to receive lots of calls from the person. The fellow would do all he/she can to impress you and warm up to your heart with their constant phone calls.

Also, do not give out other details that are personal to you or any of your family members.

2. Use reputable dating sites.Don't use free ones,as scammers tend to shy away from paid ones. Remember that most scammers come from regions where the poverty level is high, and credit cards are not readily available.

Therefore, you should sign up with paid dating sites, to ensure a greater level of security for you.

Some of the paid dating sites have been actively weeding out scammers from their site in recent time.

They have assumed more responsibility to protect those people who are paying for their services.

But all the same, you need to be careful on the paid ones too. Some categories of scammers can easily pay their way on a dating site and also use the services there. So, it pays to be on your guard at all times.

3. Look for someone in your local area. This is still the best form of dating. Most people I know who were scammed in recent time, eventually got to date someone in their area. Some are married already.

Don't live under the impression that you can't find true love in your localty. You surely can. You only need to look very well in order to find a person.

You may also consider a person in your state, or another region of your country. The chances are that a date that you meet in person is less likely to be a scammer.

Even if there is a shortage of eligible men or women around you, you might just look around in a town next to yours.

So, rather than looking for a person abroad when next you are searching for a date on the internet, you could just search for a person in your area.

About the Author: Alan Prince's insight and research on romance scams has been of great use to many anti-scams groups.He has helped a lot of people to unravel the truth about romance scams and how it operates. You can read more about you can avoid romance scams at http://www.elovedeceptions.com
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Loan Broker Scam

Loan Broker Scam
By Fine Tuned

Have you heard all the loan broker scam stories? (There are a lot of them!)

So you are down on your luck and looking for the perfect loan. You need money and you need it fast. Bad credit rating, bad credit score and nowhere to turn. Or you just need a quick loan to cover the holiday purchases. A little bit to hold you over till your tax return comes in.

Beware!!

There are unscrupulous people out there just ready to pounce on your misfortune.

Not only will they steal your hard earned and hard to raise money. They will steal your most precious hopes and your dreams.

If you have given them any personal or private information they will harvest that for a later date. And of course you HAVE given them all the information they requested.

Someone that seems so trustworthy and caring of your situation needs it to get you to the application step.

So you give them your bank account numbers, your credit card numbers and your social security or if Canadian, your SIN number. More than 5 million people in North America alone have been victims of a loan broker scam this past year.

Once they tell you your loan is approved they request money as a security fee on your signature of monthly payments.

As soon as they receive the money, they are gone. And so you too have now become the newest victim of a loan broker scam.

There are many loan broker scams out there. Everything from 1 800 numbers, PO Boxes, to phony make ship offices (that are gone in a month), with no forwarding address.

The consumer that finds himself a victim of a loan broker scam usually puts himself/herself in a much bigger financial hole. They could spend months trying to get back on their feet. They could also have set themselves up for bigger worries down the line. Identity fraud is usually the next step in these cases. They now have all your personal information and this could haunt you forever.

Loans that require an advance fee are just another loan broker scam that is looking for new victims.

They appeal to the unemployed, the down and out, those with bad credit and those in need of quick cash.

Once you read that a loan will be quarantined regardless of your credit history, you should see red flags.

How do you know you are dealing with a loan broker scam company?

Fortunately, there are many things to look for.

1. They want your money and personal information before they give you your loan application.
2. They press you to act quickly, most times to do it on the spot.
3. They need you to do everything right away so the loan can be processed quicker.
4. They won’t let you know where their office is situated at.
5. They are not affiliated with any credited financial institutions.

A few things to do to protect yourself;

1. Make sure you do not give any personal information till you check them out.
2. Make sure they have an address, (a physical) location you can visit.
3. Make sure they have a secure web address.
4. If they ask for money upfront, do not give it to them.
5. It is against the law to request money of any kind until your loan is approved.

Always keep in mind that you need to check out the details of the companies you are dealing with.

There are many financial institutions and online sites that are legitimate and are willing to help you.

Don’t sign anything or give away any personal information till you know who to trust.

About the Author: This article is courtesy of http://www.lenders4badcredit.com The online source for accurate, up to date information and guaranteed financing.
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3 Signs Of A Refinancing Scam

3 Signs Of A Refinancing Scam
By Carrie Reeder

Refinancing your mortgage has the potential to save you a lot of money – unless you get taken by a scam. Refinancing scams prey on your desire to refi at a low rate. Once they get you hooked by having you put money down or using delay tactics, you have little time to back out. To protect yourself from losing money on your next refinance, watch out for these signs of fraud.

1. Failure To Disclose Rates, Terms, And Closing Costs

Information is your greatest tool when making financial decisions. With online lenders you can rapidly compare rates, fees, and terms. Many lenders also offer loan estimates, disclosing pertinent information before you begin an application.

Anytime a lender delays or refuses to provide information, you should be cautious. By law, financial company have to tell you the rate, fees, and closing fees of any loan product. You should also know how much time you have to close the deal before rates are subject to reevaluation.

The most common scam involves not telling you when locked in rates run out. Then at closing, the lender will quote you a new rate a point or two higher.

2. Requests To Sign False Or Blank Loan Forms

Whenever a lender asks you to falsify information or sign blank forms, run away. If you knowingly give false information, you risk legal and financial problems. While you can still go to the authorities, you will have little recourse.

Blank forms provide frauds a license to draw up any kind of loan terms they want. You may end up with higher rates, balloon payments, or signing away your home’s title.

3. Pushes You To Agree To High Balances Or Payments

Be aware when lenders try to push you to agree to a high balance or payment. While all lenders will encourage you to borrow more in order to increase their profits, the good lenders aren’t trying to force you into foreclosure. Legitimate lenders want to collect interest. Scammers want to take your home.

The best protection from scammers is information. Check out lenders’ sites, ask questions, and don’t be afraid of backing out of a deal. Good rates and good terms are out there for those willing to do a little research.

About the Author: Try using http://www.abcloanguide.com for a list of Recommended Home Mortgage Refinance Companies online. Their recommended companies are reputable and competitive in their rates.

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How Do Identity Thieves Scam You?

How Do Identity Thieves Scam You?
By George Knight

One significant thing that I can be proud about myself is none other than my identity. I was born unique over all other people. I was given name by my proud parents, I struggle hard for my bank accounts, I'll be expecting a lot of benefits with my SSS when I arrive at my retirement period.

What will happen to my life if someone steals all my wealth and my identity? It is a feeling of disgust as identity theft is my greatest fear in life."

"I do not want to grow old without anything left for me. Let us all join hands in fighting against identity theft because the thieves do not deserve a place in our society!

Did you hear the enlightening statement? US citizens demand for the security of their identity. The continuous existence of identity theft is the main reason for this.

This crime is a grave threat to the personal data and property of the citizen. They want possible actions that will combat the crime.

As far as possible, every precaution should be taken to protect your identity. Once you have settled your identity, you can ensure that you will be out of risk from the identity thieves.

If only there was a way to trace the origin or the person who discovered the tricks of identity fraud, the entire US citizen will surely condemn that person for bringing much suffering to them.

From an individual to a group of people who started and promoted identity theft, the idea has been growing and handed to more people.

Beginning from that point, identity theft and fraud has spread out. Till now, the Bureau of Investigation finds it difficult to eradicate the problem.

The thieves use several unpredictable strategies to operate the crime. This makes it difficult for the investigators to identify the thieves.

Besides personal business transactions, identity theft fraud is also flourishing on the web. You need to be meticulous about the websites that are usually selling high demand items.

Items such as iPods and high-tech cellular phones are sold at minimal prices. Sometimes, the site also bargains the product for almost free to the subscribers.

What kind of operation does the identity theft fraud carry on over the Web? Be aware and get the facts properly to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Most of the time, majority of the previous victims were advised to pay nothing until they receive the item that they intend purchasing.

Thereafter the person who is behind the scam will use the name of the victim and an account number of another person to pay for the original prize of the item to the legitimate website.

In other words, the moment the customer pays for the item, the money goes directly to the thief. The thief can now present to you a valid receipt coming from the legitimate website who receives the actual payment from the account of another person.

Additionally, there is also identity theft and fraud that happens using one's e-mail. This information is for those end-users who dedicate much of their time in surfing the Net.

Someone claiming to be from your credit company can send you messages in various forms. The scammer will ask for personal data regarding your account as they site you different reasons.

The party requesting for information may state that the information is required in case of their database crash and that they are doing this to protect your account.

Having convinced you to give all your personal information, the scammer will grab the chance to make fraudulent transactions. He can also make withdrawals from your account with your consent.

This is how identity theft fraud works. It can bring you so much destruction, even more crucial than what you think.

What are you waiting for?

Take initial precautions as early as possible before you fall victim to the tricks of these rogues.

About the Author: George Knight is the owner of useful websites where you can learn more about identity theft, software, hardware and computers in general. Visit http://www.101computermatters.com for more information.

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Credit Repair Scam - How To Avoid Being A Statistic?

Credit Repair Scam - How To Avoid Being A Statistic?
By Bill Smith

Credit repair scam - How to avoid being a statistic?
A good credit history is critically important for the consumer. A bad credit will prevent you from getting a business loan, owning a home, or even a job. Promises to "fix" your credit are always made by credit consolidation companies, but they are seldom true.

Here are some of the important tips to avoid scams:

First things first. Negative information cannot be erased if the information is correct. Only inaccurate information can be corrected in your credit file. Credit file information remains on your record for seven good years from the time it is reported to the bureau. For bankruptcy, the information remains on your record for ten years. All the consolidated information about your credit bills you fell behind on, but are now paid, will remain on your report for the time period mentioned above.

Do not pay the credit repair company unless their promises are kept. Remember, the law is on your side. Federal law requires credit repair companies to give you a complete detailed explanation of your legal rights, a completely documented written contract, and above all, 3 days to cancel. This applies to all credit repair services including for-profit services, non-profit services, creditors and credit unions.

Be wary about emails you receive. When you hover your mouse over the link in the email, you will know for sure if it is a trusted website or a fraudelent one. If fraudelent, report it to your bank promptly.

You don't need a counselor to correct your mistakes in the credit report. Take charge of it yourself. If you were recently denied credit, you can request a free credit report. Otherwise there is a small charge for it. Some states will allow you a free copy of your credit report once a year. It doesn't cost you anything to dispute or question items in your credit report. Get online or follow instructions from your credit bureau. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax (800- 685-1111), Experian
(800-682-7654) and Transunion (800-916-8800). In most cases you will need to contact all the three credit bureaus as the information they have about you may vary.

Remember that you can't create a second credit file. Some of the fraudelent companies will offer to provide the consumers with a different social security number (tax identification number if ssn does not exist) in order to create a new credit file for the consumer. Such a practice is called as "file segregation". File segregation is illegal and does not work.

Whereever possible, add explanation to your credit report to prove your point. If you have legitimate reasons for not paying certain bills on time (switching jobs, illness), or if you refused to pay because of a dispute, send the bureau a statement to be tagged with your credit report. Each lender who pulls your report will be aware why you fell behind on those bills.

Counseling might be a good option. Find a good non profit consumer credit counseling service in your neighbourhood. Get online or open your yellow pages to find one. Seek the guidance of friends and family members. Select a counselor, meet them in person to make sure they are right for you. Ask them on tips and advice on how to build a good credit history. If you are still lagging behind on your payments, credit consolidation firms will be able to set up a payment plan with your creditors. If money is an issue, select a non profit credit counseling service. They will offer their service for free or for a very low cost.

About the Author: "@Copyrights 2005" - Bill A Smith is a credit counselor for Ameri credit counseling services. Bill has over 10 years of experience in providing credit consolidation, credit counseling and credit management services to clients. Americredit services provides credit consolidation and credit counseling to customers. Visit us at http://www.americreditservices.com for free credit consolidation articles, free credit counseling tips and non profit credit management services.

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The "Credit Card Debt Termination" Scam

The "Credit Card Debt Termination" Scam
By Charles Phelan

"Legally terminate credit card debt! You can be debt-free in 4-6 months!" Advertisements like this are for a new type of program that has spread via the Internet over the past few years. It's called "Credit Card Debt Termination," and victims are paying up to $3,500 for this bogus service. In this article, I'll review the principles behind this program and explain exactly why it's a scam to be avoided.

First, let's get our definitions straight. The scheme I'm describing here should not be confused with Debt Consolidation or Debt Settlement (also known as Debt Negotiation), both of which are legitimate and ethical methods for debt resolution. The easiest way to distinguish the Credit Card Debt Termination scam from other valid programs is based on the central claim that you really don't owe any money!

With Debt Consolidation, you pay back all of your debt balances. With Debt Settlement, you pay back a lower amount (usually around 50%) while the creditor agrees to forgive the remaining balance. However, with the bogus Credit Card Debt Termination program, promoters claim that you won't need to pay anything at all (except their outrageous fees, naturally). They make the surprising claim that you can legally wipe away your debts simply by using their super-duper magic documents. Based on some legal mumbo-jumbo, the claim is made that you really didn't borrow any money from your creditors!

In order to understand this scam, a little background is necessary. Remember the tax protest movement back in the 1970s? People were claiming that the IRS tax collection system was unconstitutional, and based on their misinterpretation of the tax code, they refused to pay taxes. The IRS came down hard on the tax protest movement, and through the court system, they blew holes in all the legal arguments put forth by the protesters. The Credit Card Debt Termination scam is a lot like the tax protest movement. In fact, among collection professionals, it's called the "monetary protest movement."

Just like the tax protest movement, there is a common theme that runs through all of the promotional materials issued by the monetary protestors. The basic idea is that our Federal Reserve monetary system and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) do not permit banks to loan out their own money. Therefore, according to their interpretation, the credit card banks are the ones running the scam on the American public.

Stay with me here, because the logic is pretty strange. If a bank cannot lend its own money, how does a credit card bank extend credit? The claim here is that your credit card agreement itself becomes a form of money (known as a promissory note) the
moment you sign it. The idea is that the bank "deposits" your agreement as an asset on their books, and then any credit you use is offset as a liability against that asset. In other words, the core concept here is that you literally borrowed your own money from the credit card bank.

So let's say your balance with ABC Credit Card Bank is $10,000, which you borrowed against the card to make everyday purchases. The scam promoters say all you need to do is notify the bank that you want your original "deposit" back. However, you will permit the bank to offset the amount you borrowed against the amount you have on "deposit." Presto! You don't owe the balance anymore!

Now, as you can imagine, the banks don't take kindly to such tactics. Many of the consumers using this technique are getting sued by their creditors. But the scammers have more tricks available, as if the "smoke and mirrors" financial nonsense wasn't enough. One of their techniques is the use of bogus "arbitration" forums.

Arbitration is of course a legitimate system that allows businesses and individuals to resolve disputes without going to court. What do the scammers do? They coach people on how to set up a fake arbitration forum, for the express purpose of making a dispute against their creditors!

Naturally, the creditors will not send representatives to some non-existent arbitration forum, so the consumer gets to rubber-stamp their own arbitration award. If they get sued in a regular court, they present their bogus award to the judge in the hopes that the creditor's lawsuit will be dismissed.

There are other techniques used by promoters of this scheme, but the key point to remember is the central claim that your credit card debt does not really exist. Of course, it's all nonsense based on a misinterpretation of our monetary system, and if you step back and think about for a minute, the truth seems pretty obvious. What these scammers are saying is that the entire $700 billion credit card industry is operating on an illegal basis! Even if the legal theory used by the promoters were true (which it isn't), do you think for a moment the government would allow this giant industry to go under? That's exactly what would happen if the promoter's claims were proven true and used on a widespread basis.

The Federal Trade Commission, which has jurisdiction here, hasn't stomped on these con artists yet, but it's only a matter of time. Unfortunately, in the meanwhile, consumers are being bilked out of millions of dollars for a worthless program that will only get them into deep trouble with their creditors. If you are approached by someone offering to wipe away your debts using this system, I strongly recommend you run in the other direction while you hold on tightly to your wallet or purse.

Remember, you can eliminate your debts if you take a disciplined approach to your finances, make a budget and stick to it, and don't use your credit cards unless you can pay off new balances in full each month.

Good luck in your financial future!

About the Author: Charles J. Phelan has been helping people become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former executive in the debt settlement industry, he teaches the do-it-yourself method of debt negotiation. Audio-CD material plus expert personal coaching helps consumers achieve professional results at a fraction of the cost.
http://www.zipdebt.com

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How To Avoid Losing Money To Scam Sites

How To Avoid Losing Money To Scam Sites
By Lil Waldner

The internet is full of juicy offers to make money fast. Hundreds and thousands of people lose money fast daily because they get trapped by scam offers. These web sites look very attractive. They lure the people with the hope for solving their financial problems. They display pictures of smiling people who tell you that they have made their way. They provide you with testimonials. Be careful about what you see: Webmasters buy pictures of smiling, attractive people at internet photo
agencies. Testimonials can be false.

You need to do some research before you spend money for any of these internet businesses. The following checklist might be helpful for you:

Are There Any Exaggerations?

Does the website promise profits that sound too good to be true? Do you believe, if a profit of 5, 10 or even more percent a day is realistic and does sustain? Some websites offer a profit of 30% a day. Others promise you to convert $30 or so into $100,000 within an unbelievable short time. An ad even claims: Be a millionaire in weeks! No wonder that these websites disappear within a short time along with the people’s money – or they just leave a lot of frustrated people behind.

Are the Contacts Reliable?

Is there at least a reliable contact at the website? Do they answer to your requests? It is even better if there is a working live support, a working telephone number (not just a recorded voice, answering the phones).

Check at Alexa

You can check at the Alexa website. There you can type in the URL of the website. Alexa shows you if there is a name, a company, an address or a telephone number behind the website. If it is a well known scam website, you already can see some bad comments about the website at Alexa.

Check out the Environment

You can check out easily, what is going on around the website. You just go to Google, type in the name of the website and click search. You will detect, if there are bad news about the website. The internet is an open world and you find complaints
about bad offers quite soon.

Be aware: If you type in the full URL, Google only displays you the exact website. If you just type in the name or title of the website, Google lists you many background information.

Check out Black Lists, Forums, Monitors

There are monitors and forums about the issue, in which the website is active. Do you find any opinions about the website there? Is the website black listed? Do not spend any dime, if a website is on a black list. Are there any ratings about the website? Does the website have a certificate, e.g. one by NetIBA? The Internet Identity Bureau and Associates verifies the identity behind websites. Merchants can get a certificate if they comply with the NetIBA rules.

You need to be aware, that forums can be manipulated. Scam websites can spread out favourable news about their website. They can use false internet addresses and nicknames. Scam websites have affiliates, who still go on promoting them, even if more and more people start complaining about the website.

Trace the IP Address and Hosts

You can find out the IP address and server of the checked website at network-tools.com. There you can type in the URL of the website. Certain scammers use always the same server and IP addresses. This hint could help to detect, if a well known
scammer starts a new website.

There Is no Warranty

Even, if you do your home work: there is no warranty that you do not get trapped. A scam site might be new and a blank leaf to the internet community. It is recommendable to observe matters for a while before you spend money. The more the people become alert and the more transparency is achieved – the less chance new scammers get to do their fraudulent activities.

About the Author: Lil Waldner is a business economist. She is experienced in project management and marketing. She has worked as an editor for newspapers and she has written booklets and essays on economic and public issues. Visit the web site:
http://www.makemoneytip.com

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Latest Email Scam Using IRS Name

Latest Email Scam Using IRS Name
By Richard Chapo

If you have an email account, and who doesn’t, you are use to receiving scam emails. Well, here is one using the IRS name to watch out for over the next few months.

No matter how hot it is outside, nothing sends a chill down a person’s back like the prospect of receiving a notice from the IRS. In truth, most of the notices these days are fairly bland, either an indication you owe a bit more in tax or are due a refund that you otherwise were unaware of. Regardless, most people will open such notices because nobody wants to blow off the IRS. That can only lead to trouble down the line.

Email scam artist focus their efforts on trying to get gullible people to respond to their various nefarious efforts. Obviously, they have realized that most people are sensitive to communications from the IRS. In email terms, this means people will more likely than not open the emails to at least read them.
In a number of instances, unwise individuals will actually respond to the alleged IRS communication. Given this scenario, it is surprising that there aren’t more scam emails coming out using the IRS name.

The latest scam going around involves the electronic tax payment system. The system was setup by the IRS to allow people to pay taxes online, which is convenient. Frankly, it has been a smashing success. Alas, the scammers have figured out a way to use it to their benefit.

The scam works like this. You get an email from the “Antifraud” division of the IRS. The email states that someone has tried to you a tax number assigned to you and deposited cash in the account. The IRS has then frozen the money, but you can get it back by clicking on the provided link. The page that pops up then asks you to verify your identity by providing a lot of sensitive personal information the scammer can use to steal your identity. Yes, we are talking identity theft here.

If you know anything about the IRS, the scam is a bit ambitious. First, there is no “Antifraud” division at the IRS. Second, the IRS never sends email to taxpayers, not even during an audit. NEVER! Third, why would someone steal a tax identification number and then deposit money to the IRS using it? Criminals are stupid, but come on!

Here is the simple rule you should keep in mind to avoid this and all other scam emails using the IRS name. They are ALL frauds. The IRS never sends email to taxpayers. Let me repeat that. The IRS never sends email to taxpayers. Anything you receive in your inbox that purports to be from the IRS is not legitimate. Learn it, live it, love it!

About the Author: Richard A. Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - information on taxes.

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Tax Refund Email Scam – IRS Warning

Tax Refund Email Scam – IRS Warning
By Richard Chapo

The IRS has issued a warning regarding a phishing email scam. The scam claims you are due a tax refund, but is really designed to obtain your personal information.

Tax Refund Email Scam

Phishing scams are designed to swindle you into providing private information that can be used to your detriment. This information typically includes things like credit card numbers, social security numbers, bank accounts and so on. This information is then used to open financial accounts in your name, a process otherwise known as identity theft. Frankly, it is a nightmare you do not want to be a part of.

The IRS is warning people about a tax refund email scam, which works like this. You receive an email purportedly from the IRS indicating you are due a tax refund. You are directed to click a link to visit an “IRS” page. On the page, you are asked to provide your social security number, etc., so your account can be accessed. This email is fraudulent and designed solely for identity theft.

IRS Does Not Use Email

The IRS does not use email to contact taxpayers. It certainly doesn’t use it tell you about tax refunds. The IRS only communicates with taxpayers through the mail or by telephone. Do not fall for this scam!

Are You Owed A Refund?

But what if you really are owed a tax refund? Well, the IRS is certainly not going to contact you by email to tell you. Think about it. The IRS doesn’t HAVE your email address, so how would it send you a message?

If you think you may be owed a tax refund, the best option is to pick up the phone and contact the IRS. You can reach the agency by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Whatever you do, never respond to an email from the Internal Revenue Service because they are fake. Don’t get suckered!

About the Author: Richard A. Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - recovery of business taxes, small business tax relief and help through tax refund and reduction services. Visit http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles to read more business tax articles.
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The Latest Email Scam Is Nothing New

The Latest Email Scam Is Nothing New
By Tim Knox

Q: I recently received an email that supposedly came from eBay that said someone had attempted to log into my eBay business account without authorization (whatever that means). The email instructed me to click a link to re-enter and confirm my account information to make sure that my account had not been hacked. Being naturally paranoid I contacted eBay directly and found that my account had not been hacked and that this email was actually from someone trying to steal my eBay account information. Is there nothing that can be done about this kind of thing? -- Wesley C.

A: The only thing you can do, Wesley, is be thankful that your paranoia kicked in because you were about to fall victim to just one of the latest attempts by thieves to steal your personal and credit card information.

As you discovered, the email you received was not from eBay, but from someone using a forged email address that gave the impression that the email was really from eBay. If you had clicked the link to “re-enter and confirm” your personal and credit card information, you would have been taken to a website that probably looked a lot like eBay, but was really a fake site created for the sole purpose of stealing your information. You would have been instructed to enter your eBay account information and other personal information, including your social security number, checking and savings account information, driver’s license number, and credit card number. In the end you would have supplied the thieves with everything they need to steal your identity.

The eBay scam is just the latest in a long line of sophisticated attempts to steal personal information through online means. Customers of PayPal, Amazon, Dell Computer, eTrade, Bank One, and many other online merchants have been the target of such scams in recent years.

The shear number of eBay customers is the main reason that eBay has become the most popular target of scam artists trying to steal personal information from individuals and businesses alike.

As we talked about way back in 2003, thanks to the Internet, stealing someone’s identity has never been easier. At any given moment, there are thousands of Internet thieves using all manner of high tech wizardry in an attempt to steal personal and business information from unsuspecting souls, and many times they can gain access to this information simply by asking the person to provide it through fraudulent means, like a fake email.

While most people are familiar with identity theft, most business men and women never think about it happening to them, at least on a professional level. Consider this: if a criminal can learn your business checking account number or the number of your company credit card, they can steal far more from your business than if they had simply knocked down the door and carted off your desk.

Here are a few ways to protect you from business and personal identity theft.

· Never give out your first name, last name, business name, email address, account passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, PIN number, social security number, or driver’s license number.

· Change your online account passwords every 30 days. Believe it or not, a hacker who steals your personal information can often guess your online account passwords in about two minutes. If your Charles Schwab online account password is your birthday or the name of your first born or family pet, count on a hacker cracking that code faster than you can say “Open Sesame.”

· Never provide personal information in response to an email or telephone call. Just because someone calls and says they are from Dunn & Bradstreet and need to confirm your business information does not mean they are really from Dunn & Bradstreet.

· Never give your business credit card number over the phone to place an order with someone who has called you unsolicited. If you are interested in what they are selling get their number, check out their company, then call them back to place the order.

If you think that you have become the victim of identity theft or think someone is trying to steal your identity or personal information you should report them immediately to the Federal Trade Commission. You will find more information on their website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.

For more information on what to do if identity theft happens to you visit http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm.

You should also remember that no reputable online company will ever ask you to log in and completely re-enter your account information. Think about it. They already have this information. Why would they ask you to provide it again? The answer is: they wouldn’t.
Be careful out there. Here’s to your success

About the Author: Tim Knox - Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker
http://www.prosperityandprofit.com
http://www.dropshipwholesale.net http://www.smallbusinessqa.com
http://www.timknox.com
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