Trust But Verify: Preventing Online Rip Offs
I was stunned to find out this week that for the first time in almost 20 years online doing business that I had one small client try a rip off. No he didn't get away but he did put a major charitable foundation in serious trouble as I've had to notify the authorities on the matter on a Federal level.
Some people just don't stop to think that the people they eff with might have a badge or work with Uncle Sam or some such. Then when they get busted they start with the sob stories.
Anyhow, it showed me that even with many helpful sites where you drum up business or people look to hire you, you shouldn't come off as totally not trusting them but you must verify as best you can before hand so that you can
file the right paperwork if someone rips you off.
With Warrior Forum I haven't bought or interacted with enough people business-wise. I don't get work here, I just buy products or get tips and tutorials. I've only had two Warriors come up flaky but they got hammered by other Warriors so glad I didn't buy anything from them. I guess since the economy is still going nowhere people are going to resort more and more with criminal and unethical behavior. I stayed away from IM for a long time because it was so slimey. However I saw how some in-house cleaning was going on.
That's why it's best to verify everything before doing a job or buying a product. You have these vultures that do nothing else but feed on the IM industry and it takes ridiculous amounts of valuable time examining and verifying their claims, products, and services. It burns up valuable time but it also takes the community to police them. That's one thing about the web that works well is that a guy might rip somebody off, but once word gets out their asses are grass. Some of the funniest stuff I've ever read involved people who tried to sell some nonsense service or product and then tried to duck when the salvos came in. Some of these threads are priceless. A mistake is one thing but out and out deception and fraud are another.
Things to look out for are usually unverifiable names, companies, email addresses. Posting of pictures of these people constantly partying or gambling. If they spend that much time involved with those activities how responsible are they? Do they pass a criminal background check? There are several paid and free services to do the work for you. Can you back up what they claim from other people whom you know to be in good standing?
Like with any person or company you have to do your homework. Even then you may have to do your detective work. Nowadays it's easier to find an nail down a crook. In some cases a bit more difficult but not impossible.
It sucks when you have to spend time verifying this or double checking that but it's better to be sure than sorry.
Don't know how long you all have been online doing business but hopefully some tips will help you to avoid the pitfalls.
Any of you have problems with scammers online?
Some people just don't stop to think that the people they eff with might have a badge or work with Uncle Sam or some such. Then when they get busted they start with the sob stories.
Anyhow, it showed me that even with many helpful sites where you drum up business or people look to hire you, you shouldn't come off as totally not trusting them but you must verify as best you can before hand so that you can
file the right paperwork if someone rips you off.
With Warrior Forum I haven't bought or interacted with enough people business-wise. I don't get work here, I just buy products or get tips and tutorials. I've only had two Warriors come up flaky but they got hammered by other Warriors so glad I didn't buy anything from them. I guess since the economy is still going nowhere people are going to resort more and more with criminal and unethical behavior. I stayed away from IM for a long time because it was so slimey. However I saw how some in-house cleaning was going on.
That's why it's best to verify everything before doing a job or buying a product. You have these vultures that do nothing else but feed on the IM industry and it takes ridiculous amounts of valuable time examining and verifying their claims, products, and services. It burns up valuable time but it also takes the community to police them. That's one thing about the web that works well is that a guy might rip somebody off, but once word gets out their asses are grass. Some of the funniest stuff I've ever read involved people who tried to sell some nonsense service or product and then tried to duck when the salvos came in. Some of these threads are priceless. A mistake is one thing but out and out deception and fraud are another.
Things to look out for are usually unverifiable names, companies, email addresses. Posting of pictures of these people constantly partying or gambling. If they spend that much time involved with those activities how responsible are they? Do they pass a criminal background check? There are several paid and free services to do the work for you. Can you back up what they claim from other people whom you know to be in good standing?
Like with any person or company you have to do your homework. Even then you may have to do your detective work. Nowadays it's easier to find an nail down a crook. In some cases a bit more difficult but not impossible.
It sucks when you have to spend time verifying this or double checking that but it's better to be sure than sorry.
Don't know how long you all have been online doing business but hopefully some tips will help you to avoid the pitfalls.
Any of you have problems with scammers online?