10 Ways to Spot a Scam on the Internet

So many of us, including the author, have been tempted by one or more of those annoying pop-up windows promising us riches beyond our wildest dreams. Fortunately though, after the first few clicks, we develop a tolerance to these ads and simply ignore their obxnious presence. While pop-up windows may quickly educate us how not to click on them, how do we resist the urge when it takes the shape of other forms such as websites or embedded advertisements? The following 10 tips will help you determine whether or not what you are about to dive into is really a scam or potentially the next great revenue stream.

1) Phrases such as: quick cash, easy money, fast payout, instant profits - anything that sounds effortless is usually too good to be true.
2) Flashy graphics and banners. Serving as nothing more than eye candy, web page graphics are most often used as a substitute for quality content. These empty websites are optimized to capture the aesthetic appeal of a reader, but do they really fill the reader's request, most often the answer is no.
3) Sites that are trying to sell "money-making" packages, either software based, mail order, etc. are only trying to make money off of one person - that is YOU. This is equivalent to informercial rip-offs.
4) Testaments from satisfied customers who have made thousands or even millions. This tip follows along the same lines as the last one. These paid actors are used to sell you on your dreams that riches galore lie within your grasp. Again, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5) Sites that ask for personal information. NEVER release, submit or volunteer your Social Security Number, bank account numbers, PINs or any other form of personal information. Just as you would never give a stranger your driver's license or social security card, why would you ever give this information to a website? If you are ever asked for private information leave the site immediately. Avoid phising scams!
6) No point of contact. Many con artists make it virtually impossible for you to locate them. After you opened your heart, soul and wallet into their business model and need to question the site manager why your bank account was overcharged or even charged to begin with, POOF, the person who was there to make you riches takes off like a bat out of hell.
7) BBB member.Check to see if the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) here.
8) Disregard any e-mail message(s) claiming you've won lots of money or those which contain any of the other tips mentioned above.
9) Conduct a background check via word of mouth. If a method a website is claiming really works, chances are more than a few people have written about it. Case in point, Google's Adsense, which is an ad serving program that has benefitted countless individuals and businesses.
10) Subscribe to my RSS feed to get more tips and tricks on your journey to internet income.

Remember, don't become a victim, follow these tips and please protect yourself.