| We have all heard or read about someone who lost | | | | you before you signed on. There would still be so |
| everything to a con artist. How can we avoid the | | | | much to do and learn. |
| same fate? Do you know how to protect yourself | | | | Even if the up-front costs are legitimate, they may be |
| against a unscrupulous person who promises a | | | | too much for your budget. Some reputable home |
| fantastic home business opportunity, and how to tell a | | | | business require a significant investment in equipment |
| real venture from a fake? All you need to do is | | | | and materials. You need to be sure that you can |
| remember some basic tips. | | | | handle such costs, even if you do not see a return for |
| First, find out how they learned your name and | | | | months, or longer. |
| address. If you signed up for reputable home business | | | | Are you going to fall victim to a scammer? Not if you |
| mailing lists, they may be legit. If you didn't, you should | | | | stay vigilant and avoid temptation. It's easy to overlook |
| be wary. Anyone who has a legitimate offer will not | | | | the warning signs when the possibility of wealth and |
| hide their identity or conceal how they obtained | | | | success is dangled in front of you. It's easy to believe |
| information about you. | | | | a person who seems friendly and truly interested in |
| Any offer, no matter how it comes to you, should be | | | | your future. But no con artist can survive without |
| considered suspicious if it promises impossible returns. | | | | making people believe they are trustworthy and |
| It would be great if we could all make millions working | | | | honest. That's what makes them so good at fraud! |
| only a few hours a day, but a legitimate business | | | | It's hard to be suspicious all the time, and you may feel |
| simply doesn't bring riches like this with so little effort. | | | | cynical and jaded. But a legitimate business person will |
| Resist the temptation to think that perhaps this is that | | | | recognize your caution as evidence of your readiness |
| one time that the impossible will come true. The only | | | | to be a successful business owner. They will be |
| person who will get rich is the scammer. | | | | encouraged by it, not put off. |
| Now, if a program has passed these two tests, it may | | | | Do your research, resist temptation, and work out all |
| be safe to inquire further, but you should still go slowly. | | | | the possibilities and angles. There are legitimate |
| What will it take to get started in this business? If you | | | | business opportunities out there for people who have |
| have to pay them money before you get more | | | | the patience, skills, and knowledge to find them. Handle |
| information, you should be suspicious. If they were | | | | yourself right, don't jump at the next "new shiny |
| reputable, and the scheme actually worked, there | | | | object," take some time to do good evaluations, and |
| would be no harm in explaining the basic program to | | | | no scammer will get your money! |