[Dale King]

Since this is the season when a lot of people get ripped off, I thought that this was an important topic.

While browsing through a popular business opportunity magazine the other day, I noticed that one of the all-time classic scams seems to be as popular as ever. I'm talking about stuffing envelopes for money, of course.

I'm sure you've seen the ads where the companies claim they will pay you a dollar or more for each envelope you stuff, along with the fake testimonials of individuals claiming they make hundreds or even thousands of dollars per week stuffing envelopes.

I have four words for you: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE! Why would a legitimate company based in Anywhere, USA, advertise nationally for homeworkers to stuff envelopes, when they have thousands of individuals right in their own backyard that they can hire?

In addition, they charge you a $49.95 "application fee" for the privilege of working for their company. It just doesn't make any sense. Especially when you consider the fact that nowadays there is state-of-the-art mailing equipment that can stuff thousands of envelopes in minutes for mere pennies apiece.

Here's how the scam works: After you send in your aforementioned application fee, you will receive a letter basically instructing you to duplicate their success by advertising the same scam ad that you originally responded to.

Many people are so desperate to make money, without actually having to work for it, they'll go along with the scam and end up ripping off other gullible individuals.

Anyway, that's how the envelope stuffing scam works. Be wary of this and other homeworking scams. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't!

Dale King

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by krupt

Dale,

I think you are "warning" the wrong trget audience here with this article/warning/post

You should be well aware people or a market on such a forum as this or even internet users would not fall for such a thing.

The type of people, the market that would fall for such a thing, you could say are less educated. Most probably havn't even gone to university.

Low income, less educated individuals. Which, in a country as big as USA, is quite a high %

Your warning the wrong crowd Mr Marketing

Au contraire. Reading a lot of these posts, it's obvious to me that not everyone who visits this forum is as sophisticated as you might think. Having said that, this post isn't meant for everyone. So if it doesn't apply to you, simply disregard.

Dale King

[ncik]

Websites trying to sell these con's can usually be recognised a mile off, showing many 'testimonials' (always fake) from apparently happy clients, babbling on for ages, and often contradicting themselves, using bad grammar and spelling as they're put together so quickly.

Then of course, after all that, they'll ask for some money for some kind of 'starter pack'.

I do agree with krupt - Most in this forum would not fall for the scam, apart from perhaps the younger and less experienced members.

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by ncik

Most in this forum would not fall for the scam, apart from perhaps the younger and less experienced members.

I'll say it again. My post isn't for everyone. If it doesn't apply to you, simply disregard.

Dale King

[ncik]

Oh I'm not saying it shouldn't be said. The people that run those kinds of sites annoy me so much I'd rather it was all out in the open, with the hope that they'll all give up eventually and get a proper job.

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by ncik

Oh I'm not saying it shouldn't be said. The people that run those kinds of sites annoy me so much I'd rather it was all out in the open, with the hope that they'll all give up eventually and get a proper job.

I wish I didn't have to make these kinds of posts. Unfortunately tens of thousands of people get ripped off by these scams every single year, and believe it or not, a small percentage of those victims are members of this forum - even if they choose not to admit it. That's who my post is for.

Dale King

[Online Super Sale]

I wonder if we have people on this forum who make a living running a scam.

A really huge one i almost bought into was that of Poetry.Com: Free Poetry Contest, Poems, Publishing

It seems legimate but do a quick search "poetry.com scam" I was sooo surprised, I thought my poetry was actually chosen from a panel of judges, but in fact anything you submit will win an award.

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by Online Super Sale

I wonder if we have people on this forum who make a living running a scam.

I believe that the majority of people on this forum are honest and run legitimate businesses. However, there are a few scam artists on this forum. To think otherwise is being naive.

Dale King

[ncik]

It would be quite interesting to research these kinds of scam sites and profile the owners, to see if there's any big players.

Dale, do you know of any published figures or research down this line?