How to Spot an Online Scam?

How to Spot an Online Scam?

Part of what I do on one of my websites is review online opportunities to make money and the conclusion I have come to is that there are very few real and legitimate websites that will teach you how to make money.

The rest appear to range from downright scams to just plain shoddy opportunities.

What really concerns me is the amount of people that fall for these scams when they don't need to!

Here are a few things to look out for that I consider to be the warning signs of scams. If a website you come across has any of these, then please just be wary!

It Sounds Too Good To Be True

If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Any website that claims you will be making a huge amount of money with them is very likely a scam!

Make Money on Autopilot

Any website that claims you will be making loads of money on "autopilot" through their system is almost definitely bound to be a scam!

Secret Formula, Never Seen Before, Google Loophole, Instantly Rank you at #1 on Google?

Seriously? That they are going to share with you? If I found a secret formula, that nobody else knew I would hang on to it and make my millions. Why on earth would I swamp the online market with something like this?

A Google loophole? Firstly this is not likely, certainly not at the rate that so many people are claiming. However even if a "Google loophole" is found how long do you think it will take Google to notice and close that loophole, leaving your website penalized?

MLM, Pyramid Schemes - businesses based on recruiting?

Oh no thank you.

MLM just sucks, really it does. It is not a sustainable business long term. Some people do make money yes, but most people don't. The majority of people that join MLM lose money.

If there is an "MLM opportunity" but no real product then it is even worse... stay away from pyramid schemes.

Once you join an MLM scheme suddenly the product is almost completely forgotten and the focus is on recruiting only.

Rather try affiliate marketing!

Flashy Website with no real substance or information

You are going to make thousands, really really fast... on autopilot... but HOW?

If you are on a website and they don't explain to you how you will be making money before you sign up be very wary.

A legitimate opportunity will tell you exactly how you will make money, they will often offer you a free trial too.

A Countdown Clock?

Does the website have a count down clock? This is often to make you think you will lose this opportunity if you don't sign up right away.

Trust me on this, close the website and go back the next day. You will see the same countdown the next day and the next week.

Do not rush into anything because of a count down clock.

Sales Video Only? Flashy Show Off?

This is so typical of scams, they have hardly any information on their website except a flashy sales video. Fancy cars? Wads of cash? Telling you how rich they are and how they just want to help YOU get rich too because they are like oh so kind people?

What a load of rubbish. You will find half of these people in the videos on Fiverr, they do paid videos...

Downsells when you try and leave?

This one is so bad!

Have you ever tried to leave a website that is trying to get you to sign up for an offer and when you try leave they suddenly offer their $75 for $29.95?

And you are not interested so you try again to leave and they change the offer to $14.95?

How bad is this really? This is an awful thing to do isn't it?

Have you encountered any of these dodgy tactics online? Can you add any other things to look out for?