Is it a Scam?

I wanted to quit my job. So I decided to make my fortune online. I had no idea what I was doing, but that had never stopped me before. I joined a mlm company. They said to succeed online you need to get an auto-responder and purchase leads. Great. But I didn't know what an auto-responder was...I was pretty vague about the lead thing too. So I asked, "What's an auto-responder?"

"It's like a fax machine," was the response.

Great. Problem was they were talking to a bus driver. I'd never used a fax machine. I had probably seen one, but I couldn't actually remember having seen one...and if I had, I wouldn't have known what to do with it. Point is, their answer didn't help. But I was not to be discouraged. I went online and found an auto-responder. Setting up that first auto-responder was like pulling my own front teeth. Then I bought 2000 double-opt-in-leads and sent out my ads. Results...2 spam complaints, 200 counter offers, and zero sales. Hmm. I must have done something wrong. So I cancelled my membership to the mlm and decided I didn't hate bus driving that much.

A month later I decided to try again. Soon afterward I discovered something I had not known about myself.

I have an uncanny knack for finding and falling for every scam online.

Mistake # 1. Typing Sites. I've already written an article on this particular subject. For the full article, see: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Doralynn_Kennedy

Mistake # 2. Paid per Lead Sites. This particular opportunity is much like the above. You place ads that state: "You can earn up to $30 an hour processing simple e-mails from the comfort of your home! You will be paid for each lead that you collect. Each lead must include e-mail address, home address, and phone number." The particular company that I fell for stated that it paid $1 for each lead collected. Well I can do that I decided! I took out a paid ad in the Denver Post. It only cost me $400 for a full month. The leads poured in. I had hundred of leads coming in each day. Guess what happened? Not only wasn't I paid for any of the leads, the company also cancelled my membership. They refused to answer my e-mails as to why and shortly afterward, blocked my e-mails entirely. Not only dirty but cowardly. I promptly reported the crooks to the ftc. Nothing ever came of that as far as I can tell. The company is still online! So beware!

Mistake # 3. Online Proof Reading Jobs. Next I signed up for a very popular proof reading company. I had to pay $25 to take their test. No problem. I was happy to do so. I figured I'd get that back in no time. The test was rather tricky, but I passed it, and soon I had access to my private member's area. Yippee! Well, maybe not yippee. Yikes was more like it. There were a few problems: 1) I had to advertise the site. 2) I had to bid on the jobs. 3) The bids were as low as .25 for proof reading a 75 page e-book. and 4) The site never recognized my referral id.

Hmm. Looks like I'd done it again.

Mistake # 4. Assembling simple circuit boards at home. The first problem I encountered with this one was the length of time it took to receive a reply to my initial inquiry. By the time I heard back from them, I'd forgotten about it. When I did hear from them, a one-time fee was required. It was the same old story. We require a fee because not everyone is serious about this great opportunity. We have to be sure you're serious about this work. Well, I was serious, and I proved it by sending them $49. Five months later I received my circuit board...and a bunch of other things I couldn't identify...not even with the use of their simple 12 page set of instructions. I did figure out a couple of things: 1) I needed to provide my own equipment to assemble the circuit board, and 2) they only sent out 1 cirucuit board every 6 months. Since they only paid $1.25 for each assembled circuit board, I quickly concluded that I wasn't going to get rich assembling circuit boards. Turns out most home assembly jobs are scams. I only know of one that isn't.

Mistake # 5. HYIP's. By this time, I was getting desperate. I think that's why I fell for this particular scam. I could tell they were a scam from the beginning?well almost the beginning. But, I decided that I had a strategy. Get in early?get out early. I lost track on how much I lost with that strategy?but it was more than everything else combined. Truth is, ALL HYIP's are scams that feed on greed. Stay away! Please!

Now after looking at the above, you'd think I would have given up and gone back to work with my tail tucked between my legs. No way! I don't give up. Good thing to, because I finally did make money online?enough to stop driving buses. Now I just work from home. And it sure beats the rat race.

Doralynn Kennedy
http://doralynn.net

About the Author: Doralynn Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of 'The Work at Home Network' and 'Affordable Advertising Solutions' located in Colorado. http://doralynn.net and http://doralynn.net/ad_solutions.html

---

CDL Practice Test ? Offers Practice Tests To Prepare For The CDL Exam

As you take CDL practice test, you do become more... Read More

Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories

In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More

A Job is Not a Job

It only happened on Mondays. Sometimes I escaped... Read More

How to Improve Your Work Situation

buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation?... Read More

Chicken Soup for Job Seekers

Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More

Avoid a Three-ring Circus with These New Interviewing Strategies

I referenced the circus because I just finished another interviewing... Read More

How to Manage Your Career Like a Business

Look upon yourself as a company with a product or... Read More

Illegal Interview Questions -- Be Prepared

I'll quickly cover the following:A) Why Employer Ask Illegal Interview... Read More

Learn Some Useful Feng Shui Career Tips

As it does with every main life aspect, feng shui... Read More

References: Choose Wisely

Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the... Read More

When The Going Gets Tough -- The Tough Keep Going

If you've been in a job search for more than... Read More

History Reports: When Your Resume Equals, I Did This, I Did This, I Did This

Do these sound familiar?"I worked for?" "My responsibilities were?"... Read More

To All Managers: How Does ADD Affect Your Workplace?

Tent caterpillars create a cocoon for an entire colony. Within... Read More

How To Write A Job Winning Resume That Puts Yours On Top

Many people would love to get a better job. And... Read More

Old Hiring Foxes vs. The Hedgehogs

You are about to compete for the best people again.... Read More

Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume

Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More

Are You Winning the Talent Wars?

How many times have you heard or read, "Our employees... Read More

What Can I Do To Improve My Job-Interviewing Skills?

Whether you're a student job seeker or a polished and... Read More

Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?

Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of... Read More

Salary Negotiation Secrets Revealed

Before you go into the interview, it is important to... Read More

Do You Have What it Takes to be a Successful Petite Model?

Want to break into the petite modeling industry but wondering... Read More

3 Resume Secrets the Pros Use

You don't write a resume every day. Not even every... Read More

Ten Great Careers For Computer ?Geeks

The universal acceptance of computers into our daily lives, both... Read More

Does Your Resume Have What It Takes To Survive The First Cut?

Qualifications" or "Personal Profile") uses bullets and succinct wording to... Read More

Cover Letter Magic: 4 Ways To ASK For The Job Interview - And Get It!

Just how important it is to ASK for the job... Read More

Top Career Advice ... More Choices and A Better Way of Life

Why Career Advice Is So ImportantChoosing a career presents a... Read More

A Killer Secret To Get Your Cover Letter Read

You're still reading?so I know my title grabbed your attention.Why?... Read More

Reinvent Your Career In Five Simple Steps

The phrase "reinventing yourself" seems to be popping up all... Read More

Do You Need Help Writing A Winning Cover Letter?

Your cover letter is critical to your success. It sets... Read More

When Your Job Goes Away: Seven Tips

Q. "What do I do after a job goes away?"A.... Read More

Workplace 911

I've watched a few episodes of Nanny 911 and with... Read More

How to Prepare for A Performance Appraisal

Performance appraisal should be treated as an ongoing developmental process... Read More

Advantages of Mobile Oil Changes; A Potential Small Business for You?

Mobile oil change and mobile lubes are great for fleet... Read More