How Not to be Deceived

     We hear of it all the time.  Scam artists abound and more and more people are being caught up in some reasonably sounding scam only to discover they have been conned.  The deception does not always center around money, but sometimes around goals which others are trying to achieve.  Most deceptive practices, however, have at their base greed.  People invest in these hellish schemes thinking they will somehow get rich quick with little work involved.  Here are some things you may consider when you are tempted to involve yourself and your finances in a scheme to get rich: 

1.  Have all propositions put into writing with valid signatures on the offers. 

2.  Consult with a lawyer as to the legality of the proposition.

3.  If the scheme involves a great outlay of your money initially, think twice and back away. 

4.  Consider if you will “take the fall” if the plan does not succeed. 

5.  Find out if others have been introduced to the same proposition and try to ascertain their  results.  

6.  If the scheme seems “high risk”, it generally is.  High risk schemes are akin to gambling. 

7.  Look into the pyramid of the proposition.  Explore who are the leaders from top to bottom–research them. 

8.  Any proposition that is out of your country is suspect.  Try a phone call and see if the company or exists. 

9.  Don’t jump in with a “one time sell”.  Take a lot of time to consdier and reconsider what you will be doing. 

10. Never join up with people who have criminal records, no matter what.  Your affiliation with such a group may later result in you being questioned or involved. 

11.  Look into the how long  the company or corporation or group that you are anticipating joining has been in existence.  If they are a new company, even operating under a new name and management, beware.

12.  Keep a log of your activities and offers of this group.  Go to the police if necessary to have them checked out. 

13.  Do not be swayed by what sounds good.  Fast talkers, convincing, charissmatic salesmen and people know how to appeal to your desires and interests. They will tell you what you want to hear in the way you want to hear it. 

14.  Do not believe all of the testimonials you hear about a product or proposition.  Many times the people you hear are paid and do not tell the “whole truth”. 

15.  People who like to scam others want to know all of your information.  Don’t divulge any of your personal information to them unless you are fully convinced that they are legitimate. 

16. Read books on scamming and research similar  schemes on the Internet.  Know the “red flags” and be able to recognize them in your haste to attain your goal.  Red flags are usually all along the way when dealing with deceptive people. 

17.  Don’t allow anyone or any group to continually badger and press you to become a part of them or invest in their programs.  Constant calls and e-mails to you should be ignored.  Once they get what they want from you, you will probably never hear from them again. 

18.  Don’t think deceivers always are strangers.  Sometimes people who you have known or people even in your family have been deceived, and pressure you to become involved in something that is not right for you. 

19.  The longer that you consider the options and propositions of those who want to extortion you, the better.  People who either give you a “sob story” or who are out to get all they can get from you like to do it quickly. 

20.  Be vigilant and remember that you have your own reputation and savings to protect.