3. We need to have program visit url's that we request after logged into email account. Of course we will spoof ip that our program uses so that when it checks email then visits site it looks legit in url owner's (the person we are suckering) stats package.

4. If person gives us a domain address we will take a quick visit and find a guestbook or other form on site. Our program will then go to that url and enter fake information like name and email address. If we find a newsletter subscription form we can have our program join list. How many fake emails to enter? Depends on how much they pay us. Remember, they are legit email addresses but there is never anybody home.

The system is now in place. The poor sucker pays us money and we type their url into our system for their web site and forms. Next day according to what we want they have enough traffic and emails to keep them happy with handing over cash.

Does this scare you? It should because it is happening right now.

How can you avoid this?

1. Watch company you are dealing with. Do they sell email lists? If they do they are crooks!!! Stay away.

2. Get on their list for a long time. See what quality of their newsletter is like. Is it good information or just filler news.

3. Call Better Business Bureau in their city. Just visit http://www.networksolutions.com and look this up using their domain url address. If they are not a member, get away from them at all costs. This is a hard fast rule!

4. Talk to them on phone and ask questions about source of their advertising that gets them so much traffic. How did they get so popular? You need to find this out and verify it.

5. Finally, how much does this cost? I saw a guy pay $149.95 per year to post daily to millions of people! Yeah right. We sell classified ads with over 200,000 impressions for just $99.95. More than that and you are being suckered.

3. Chain Letters - send $5 to next name on list then cross bottom name off list, replace it with your own, then forward letter to 500 of your nearest and dearest. What to look for: A jail cell. This is a pyramid scheme and is illegal. The letter goes to great pains to say that it is not illegal.

4. Envelope Stuffing - think you're going to be paid for stuffing envelopes? Think again. You get a kit that you can turn around to recruit others to an envelope stuffing scam of your very own! Watch out for craft assembly work as well. You'll probably find all of your hard work is not up to their exacting "quality standards" and therefore you won't get paid for your work.

5. Health and Diet Scams - magic pills that eradicate need to eat fewer calories than you expend in order to lose weight. They don't work.

6. Effortless Income - no such thing. As FTC says, if they worked, everyone would be doing it.

7. Free Goods - you're told you'll get a free computer. You have to pay a fee to join a club and then told you have to recruit other members. You get paid in computers. They're nothing but pyramid schemes.

8. Investment Opportunities - look for outrageously high rates of return with no risk.

9. Cable Descrambler Kits - they probably won't work and even if they do, you're stealing a service from a cable company and committing a crime.

10. Guaranteed Loans or Credit - pay a fee and you're given a list of lenders, all of whom turn you down. Credit cards never arrive.

11. Credit Repair - no matter how bad your credit, pay these people and they'll fix it. They generally just advise you how to lie on future credit applications - how to commit fraud in other words.

12. Vacation Prize Promotions - your accommodations will be so bad you'll want to pay for an upgrade. You'll probably have to pay to schedule a vacation at time you want as well.

=> Pyramid Schemes

Make money by recruiting members into program without giving anything of equal value in exchange for membership fees. Contrast MLM (multi-level marketing schemes). These are not pyramid schemes because they involve sale of products and services in return for membership.

=> Medical Billing

Prepackaged businesses requiring an investment of $2,000 to $8,000. Few people who purchase one of these "businesses" are able to find clients, start a business and generate revenues. Competition in this area is fierce and concentrated around a few big, well-entrenched firms.

=> Your In Box

Finally, go to your in-box now. You'll find no end of scams sitting right there. Here's one that just arrived in mine ...

"Subject: How to make $1,000,000 in 20 weeks selling to Newcomers on Net"

Like all rest, it gets one-finger salute - index finger to delete key. Works beautifully every time.

Where to go for more information on internet scams:

FTC Website http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm

Scambusters http://www.scambusters.org

Netscams http://www.netscams.com/frameset.html