8. Credit Repair Scams: These scams promise to erase accurate, negative information from your credit file so that you can qualify for loans, mortgages, unsecured credit cards, etc. It doesn't work. Not only that. If you follow their advice and lie on loan or credit applications, misrepresent your social security number, or get an Employer Identification Number from Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses, you will be committing fraud and violating federal laws. Another variation of this scam is promise of a brand new credit file. Don't do it.

9. Vacation, Sweepstakes And Prize Award Scams: In these scams you receive notification congratulating you because you've won a fabulous vacation, a car or some other prize award. All you have to do to collect your prize is pay a small fee (usually several hundred dollars). In return, what you end up getting is a toy car, (I kid you not) or a vacation certificate to Bahamas or some other exotic vacation spot. It's really a lousy deal. You have to pay for your own airfare, and accommodations that they arrange are usually in rundown hotels. Let buyer beware!

10. Employment Scams: Employment scammers take advantage of job seekers. They claim to offer employment services, inside information or inside contacts to jobs. After paying a fee, victims learn they only provide advice, help writing a resume--or less. Some fraudulent employment services simply sell lists of companies that they have gotten from public directories. They usually have not contacted those companies directly or know if there really are any job openings.

11. Multi-level Marketing (MLM) or Network Marketing Scams: I know I'm going to ruffle a few feathers with this one, so let me just say right now that all MLM or network marketing companies are not scams. Obviously, there are some good, reputable companies out there. However, there are so many bad ones that I'm compelled to include entire industry on this list. Before getting involved with any MLM or network marketing company, investigate, investigate and then investigate some more. Don't get caught up in hype. And here's a fact no MLM or network marketing company will ever tell you--not even legitimate ones: Unless you have outstanding sales ability and/or people skills, it is extremely difficult to make any money in MLM or network marketing.

Here are some other things you should watch out for: Make sure website you’re visiting contains all three of following:

1. A real persons name (not just a company or business name)

2. A telephone number

3. A street address (not just a P.O. Box)

If all three of above are not present, walk away from offer.

Before purchasing anything, you should always check first to see if company has had any complaints lodged against it. The following websites publish complaints and/or scams:

http://www.scamwatch.com

http://www.worldwidescam.com

http://www.bbb.org

If you do get scammed, report it to aforementioned websites immediately. You probably won’t be able to recover your money. Few people ever do. But at least by reporting crime and making it public record, you make it harder for that company to scam anyone else.

In closing, always carefully investigate any business opportunity, and remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer, publisher and entrepreneur. Questions? Comments? Dean can be reached at mailto: dean@lets-make-money.net

Website: http://www.lets-make-money.net

By time you discover what has happened, you could be left holding bag for thousands of dollars in debt. Your credit rating will be destroyed and you might have to deal with legal problems and bill collectors for years to come.

The moral of story is obvious. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. And, it should be obvious that Nigerian Scam is an attempt to involve you in a fraudulent act. If you lie down with this dog, expect more than just fleas. Expect to be spayed or neutered!

Hot Stock Tips and Oil Strikes

These have been showing up in my mail box for past few months now. Again, this is an effort to prey on weak minded and vulnerable people. When someone out of a job, or in need of a quick fix to a financial problem, reads this, they figure, "what heck, things can't be worse than they are now." WRONG!

If you send in your credit card information, You are a fool! You and all of your hard earned money will soon be parted. The same with New Mexico Oil Strike. Does anyone really believe that companies like Halliburton need your thousand dollars to process supposed largest oil strike outside of Persian Gulf?

One more thing about these two scams. Be careful when you click on OPT-OUT links at bottom of page. A couple of these scammers have gone to new heights to steal your personal information. Their Opt-Out links actually lead to a data collection form.

You are led to believe that tyou need to complete form in order to opt out. Actually, your info was just stored in a data base, and you can expect to receive several more spams/scams, only now, you really are Opted In and spam filters wont be able to stop this trash from arriving in your mail box.

Conclusion

Spam Filters are terrific tools, I just wish they could filter out scammers and let legit stuff through. Until technology can be developed to point where it can distinguish between honesty and flim flam, We will all have to be on our guard. Use a bit of common sense when opening your mail. Be careful with opt out links. They should be simple and automatic. Never give data of any kind to someone you suspect of being illegitimate. And finally, get your sexual kicks with your significant other. Leave that trash completely alone and spend your on line time in pursuit of more important things. Earning a second income, writing an article, or learning how to build your own site come to mind.