Safeguarding Against Scams: The Importance of Due Diligence

The Power of Research

Recently, we conducted an investigation into a program that piqued our interest. Although we couldn't definitively label it as a scam, we found enough questionable elements to decide against investing. We shared our findings with over 90 individuals who had joined based on our recommendation, and most chose to withdraw as well.

The key takeaway here is the importance of doing your homework. While it may seem time-consuming, investing a bit of time in research can save you from potential future headaches. Often, you'll find that much of the legwork has already been done and is readily available for review online.

Resources for Scam Prevention

There are numerous resources available to help you verify the legitimacy of a program or business. Here are a few you might consider:

• Victims Against Scams
• International Council of Online Professionals
• The Sentinel - An online database created by the US government to track internet scams and fraud.
• Better Business Bureau Online
• Internet ScamBusters
• National Fraud Information Center
• Federal Trade Commission

These resources are just a starting point. You can find many more by searching for "scams" on major search engines.

Questions to Ask Before Investing

Before investing in a program, ask yourself the following questions:

• Would I be proud to sell or promote this product? If the answer is no, it's best to steer clear.
• Is there a tangible service or product that I will be selling? If the only way to earn money is by recruiting new members, it could be an illegal pyramid or Ponzi scheme.
• Is contact information readily available? Legitimate businesses will provide email addresses, street addresses, names of principals, company names, and telephone numbers. Test their responsiveness by sending them a question and see if you receive a meaningful reply.
• If you have an address or telephone number, verify them using Yellow Pages or White Pages. You can also perform a "reverse directory check" to verify the information.
• Check the website's domain name at Network Solutions to find out who the administrative contact is, where they are located, and how long the site has been registered.
• Does the company offer a free promotional site with your personal referral code? If you're required to pay for basic promotional tools, be wary. Legitimate companies should provide these tools as part of their business expenses.

Remember, the final decision is yours to make. Use the information gathered from your research to make an informed decision before investing your hard-earned money and resources.