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Danger: Scam Zone

BY: Randall Stafford
Words: 659

The days of being safe on the internet has never existed. What�s worse is the fact that through all the safety precautions that you do take, you still can get caught up in a scam. It�s also been said that the internet is less safe now than it was a year ago.

You average person on the internet may be honest to a certain extent. The problem is the excitement of quick riches. Some of the more experienced marketers, shoppers, or computer gurus may be able to detect some dangers. Not all dangers can be eliminated.

If you haven�t been stung, you will be. It�s not a question of if, but when. The severity of that sting is what�s most important.

It should be the duty of every internet shopper, guru, and marketer to report scams, phishing, chain letters, and ponzi schemes.

I�ve personally witnessed people clicking on email links because of a warning. I see pop-ups come up all the time with warnings that are not part of your computer just so that it�ll go to the persons� email address that made this pop-up.

If you click on a pop-up, you must be made aware that some people claim that to be a permission to email you. You may not even be aware of it.

I�ve spoke to several clients of mine about the dangers of the internet. Their response was: �I have a virus protector.�

Having a virus protector, a spam blocker, a pop-up blocker, and every piece of software on the market will not save you from your own enthusiastic approach to getting rich if you believe it takes no work. Now that was a long sentence. Sorry.

I�ve been on the internet since 1994 and have spent countless thousands of dollars finding scams, making mistakes, and still get scammed here and there.

Have you heard of people filling out surveys? It is my opinion that if you participate in some of these surveys, you will give the provider all the information necessary for them to steel your identity. Now bare in mind, I know some people that are making money filling out surveys. I�ve even been told that �survey scout� is the most respected of all survey opportunities. However, they just lead you to the data base or surveys.

Here is something you should think about. How many people do you know that has your name? Now, how many people were born on the same day as you with that name? With these two pieces of information, and the technology we have today, I�d be very reluctant to giving my birth date out.

To take this another step: What do you think could happen if you type your information into a survey that asks for your name, birthday, home address, how many people live with you, the ages of your children, and even your social security number.

You�ve just opened up the door for that information not only being available to everyone with cash but also to a scammer.

You see, the dangers of the world may not be guns anymore. It may be our own self destruction.

The information highway may be the most dangerous tool around if used improperly. Again, the most honest people around unknowing participate in scams, ponzi schemes, and chain letters hoping to gain riches.

I�ve even found more scams than I can count in my marketing target. I love health benefits, weight loss, and fitness. Now in reality, you should not fall for anything that promises you that weight loss can be achieved by eating anything you want without one small calculation. Calories in minus calories out determines your weight.

Of course I could be wrong. I still believe in what I�ve sold.

Good luck,

Randall Stafford