| anitabuchan@yahoo.co.uk. | | | | Second, check the small print. Is there a |
| Best regards | | | | disclaimer? |
| Anita Buchan | | | | Genuine sellers realise that their product will not be |
| Can You Spot An Affiliate Scam? | | | | ableto help everybody ? no product can ? and |
| There are hundreds of websites out there saying | | | | that there is achance you'll be disappointed. As |
| that theycan make you money. Some are | | | | such, they'll add adisclaimer saying so. They'll also |
| genuine. They really do givegood advice on how | | | | have a money-backguarantee. Of course, anyone |
| you can make a bit of extra cash on theinternet. | | | | can type ?money-backguarantee', and the words |
| But many ? maybe even most ? are scams. | | | | alone don't mean you've got anychance of getting |
| Scammers are hated by pretty much everyone. | | | | your money back. But they're a step inthe right |
| You might havea reason yourself ? have you | | | | direction. |
| ever lost money to one? | | | | Third, have a quick exploration of the site. What |
| Genuine affiliate marketers hate them because | | | | otherwebsites does it link to? Reputable sites |
| they makepeople suspicious and less likely to trust | | | | won't be happyabout scammers linking to them ? |
| ? and thereforeless likely to believe what the | | | | and scammers probablywon't want to let |
| affiliate marketers say! | | | | reputable sites know they exist. Afterall, the |
| The best way to get rid of them is to deny them | | | | more people know they exist, the more chance |
| what theywant: your money. | | | | thereis of people complaining and getting them |
| But how do you spot a scam? It can be very | | | | shut down. Scamwebsites tend to be small ? |
| difficult. Thebest scammers have websites that | | | | often just one page. Genuinewebsites have more |
| look completely genuine,identical to legitimate | | | | content, and therefore more pages. Asmall |
| sellers. But most aren't that good. | | | | website isn't proof that you're being scammed ? |
| Most can't be bothered. Scammers, after all, are | | | | butit should make you wary. |
| lazy. Theycan't be bothered to make a living | | | | A final thing to check, and this is one of the main |
| honestly, so they do itby cheating instead. | | | | thingsthat gives scam sites away, is the |
| And while it's probably impossible to stay | | | | testimonials. They'resupposed to reassure you, |
| completely safe | | | | convince you that the product isworth buying. |
| (there is always an element of risk when you buy | | | | You can use them you work out whether |
| something,after all, online or off), there are some | | | | you'rebeing scammed or not. Read them carefully. |
| things you shouldlook for when visiting a website. | | | | Do they soundnatural, like something you might |
| It will take a littleextra time, but it might well save | | | | write? Or do they soundlike a continuation of the |
| you money. | | | | sales pitch? The latter is asign that they're |
| The first thing to always, always check is | | | | probably fake. Also look at theirphotographs ? and |
| contactinformation. Is there any? If not, run! A | | | | this goes for all the photographs on asite. Do they |
| genuine sellerwill want you to be able to contact | | | | look professional, like they could belong ina |
| them ? after all, youmight want to offer them | | | | catalogue? Or do they look like ordinary |
| more money! Or you might have aquestion that | | | | snapshots? Themore professional they look, the |
| you want answered before you buy. | | | | more likely they are to befake. |
| Genuinesellers will be happy to answer ? | | | | It is possible to avoid the vast majority of |
| scammers just want tohide. | | | | scammers. Youhave to be careful, take your time |
| If there is contact information, look at the | | | | when reading a website,and not rush into anything. |
| e-mailaddress. Is it free? There's nothing wrong | | | | Don't get carried away by asales pitch! If they're |
| with that byitself, but remember how easy | | | | genuine, they'll still be theretomorrow ? and still at |
| Yahoo and Hotmail accountsare to set up. They're | | | | the same price, whatever they mightsay! |
| also more likely to be blocked byspam filters. A | | | | The only way to defeat scammers is by |
| paid-for e-mail address means a higherchance this | | | | preventing them frommaking a profit. So in |
| person is legitimate. | | | | future, be careful ? don't give yourmoney away! |