This morning, in our neighborhood newspaper (a real one not a virtual one), I saw a job listed that caught my attention (thinking full well this cannot be well ahead of time). The thing is the initials in the url caught my eye since NCIS is one of my favorite programs.
So… off I went to the website which I will list here with a big BUT included. First the website is www.ncisonline.com and what they promise in the newspaper is that you can make up to $600 working from home processing refunds.
Sounds altruistic, right? Helping your fellow man and/or woman and making some money doing so.
However, and here’s the big BUT part, I’m also smart enough to go out online to check into a program like this – one that just too easy to be real.
What I found is located at Rip-Off Report’s writeup – well “forum” really.
o The first person mentions getting ripped off for her $99.
o The 2nd person replying says it’s great stuff (a planted response?)
o The 3rd clearly gives decent links out to HUD, etc., and further explains why this is not an up-and-up program.
My point is this… If you are joining programs without doing your research – and so many, many, people will without – it sort of begs the statement, “Don’t you get what you deserve?”
As I repeatedly tell anyone and everyone who will listen, you’ve got the entire internet (plus phone calls as necessary) to truly investigate first, join later.
If the program you find is so hot, hot, hot, well won’t it still be there by the time you’ve done your homework?
Granted there are legitimate and non-legitimate programs that have been around for a long time. Typically, the true ones last while the others are here today, gone tomorrow…. but not always.
I can understand the frustration, need, and fear of many facing the worse of times (until) the economy really starts back in the right direction. But don’t compound your problems by making poor choices.
It only took twice for me to start looking into the programs before hitting that bad button! I hate being burned, period. So doing your homework is a must nowadays!
This is why things are brought to the states Attorney General’s office.
It’s unfortunately that some things are not legitimate. As long as people are lured by things like “no money needed,” “no work needed” and things like that – there will always be a cheater out there hunting.
Amen… you must check it out!
These types of scams make it more of a challenge for those of us who do provide honest and legitimate services and products on-line. There are internet businesses (and their owners) out there who operate with honesty and integrity. Too bad a handful of others can give us a bad rap.
It’s a shame that people get pulled into the scams, especially people who can’t afford to lose money on them.
you *have* to check things like that out. it blows my mind how many police reports i see at work regarding scams. if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
It seems like the legitimate opportunities are becoming harder and harder to find as more and more people are interested!
Just found out a friend was scammed by a work at home opportunity over the weekend. It’s amazing what people will believe!
@all – first thank you everyone for commenting
And, I wanted to add that I “picked up” an ebook recently (once again hoping to find something I don’t know – no such luck and I don’t mean to sound like a know-it-all, I don’t but come on guys, this was junk). BUT, the real trigger on this one is I’m now being hounded to spend upwards of $25,000 (I kid you not) for “mentoring” and “learning how to run my own online business.”
I’ve explained numerous times, I HAVE several, successful online businesses and holy cow they have got to be kidding, but… the emails still come and the phone calls.
Actually you’ve got to admire their nerve LOL!
Its truly a shame that with today’s economy many have become so desperate they will believe almost anything. The bad guys will always take advantage making it more difficult to find the good ones.
Sincerely,
Terry