IT'S A SCAM! (Until Proven Otherwise)
(c) Michael Schandorf-Lartey MD

Caveat Emptor- Buyer beware has not been more relevant than now in the current internet revolution. An amazing amount of commerce takes place on the web each day and an awful lot of money changes hands. The attraction of the internet as a huge marketplace and a potential source of income for ordinary people is drawing more and more people to try to make money either as their sole source or as a supplement to their regular income.

But are people really making money online? What are the chances that you will make money if you decide to join the millions already trying to mine gold on the internet? From all indications very few people do make money, sadly many more people lose money trying to make money than make it. A large part of the problem is simply that there are more scams than there are genuine money making avenues out there. The following is an outline guaranteed to help you avoid the trap of the scammers, and, hopefully, make some money.

1. RESEARCH THE TYPE OF BUSINESS YOU WANT TO JOIN THOROUGHLY
Online business is hard work, make no mistake about it, and requires investment of time and a period of learning. If you want to join an affiliate program learn all you can about affiliate programs, how they work, which ones to join, what to expect, how much you will need to invest etc BEFORE you join one.

2. INVESTIGATE THE COMPANY YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH
Make sure you have all relevant information about the company - its location, telephone number, street address, whether it is registered to do business, membership of groups like the Better Business Bureau, Verisign, Square Trade etc. This establishes the company's legitimacy.

3. TALK TO SOMEONE ON THE PHONE AND ASK QUESTIONS
Don't settle for FAQs on the website, you'd be surprised to find out just how many cannot be reached at the phone numbers they have given. If you can't talk to then before you sign up, you most likely will not be able to get hold of them when something goes wrong and you need help.

4. DON'T COMPROMISE ON A MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If they don't offer one, run!! They don't intend to give you your money back.

5. USE YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR PAYMENT OF SERVICES
Comes in handy when you try to get your money back. Your CC company will get your money back for you if they fail to honor their money-back guarantee.

6. AVOID SCHEMES THAT PROMISE HUGE SUMS OF MONEY IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME
It is almost always a scam. Don't let your need or greed get the better of you.

Michael Schandorf-Lartey MD is a Board Certified Internist who makes a hobby out of investigating internet home business schemes. Much of this article is borne out of his personal experiences and is written from the heart.