If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, Then It Probably Is!

Credit card fraud can present itself in many forms, all of which can lead to identity theft. One such form is that of an unreliable website.  There are many sites that present themselves with a promise to the unsuspecting victim of an opportunity to earn money from home or an opportunity to receive unclaimed money.

What’s the catch?  Everything is free until it is time to register. There may be a membership fee or a “one time” service charge that is billed to major credit card. Once the company receives the credit card, the rest is an endless nightmare of credit abuse and unwarranted charges based upon identity theft.  These companies prey upon naïve and desperate individuals whom are seeking an alternative to a regular job.  What they get in return is an endless barrage on their identity and money.  Here are a few details that will allow an individual to protect his/her credit and identity before it is too late.

Do the research.  A reputable company will have references and success stories that can be tracked.  If the prospective business does not have a valid mailing address (only a P.O. box), this may be a sign that they are not a legitimate business.  Don’t hesitate to contact the Better Business Bureau.  If they are not registered, this may be a red flag.  Beware of companies that do not offer a toll free number.  Companies that do not offer a help line are usually hiding something.  Call the toll free number, if offered, and talk to a representative from the company.  Many will have automated responses that will present business hours to contact a representative.  Make sure that one is reached and ask the representative important questions that pertain to the validity of the business.  Remember, it is your money and your identity.

Read the fine print.  There are many companies that will present the truth, but in fine print (many times under “terms and agreement”) they add terms that modify the truth or make the truth too expensive for you.  For example, even though it says in large print, “a onetime fee,” it may stipulate in fine print that there are other charges.  Or, they may tell you in the small print that they will sell your information and you have no control over who they sell it to. Always print the “terms and agreement” and read it over carefully for hidden charges or what they say they can do to your personal information. This is a common scam among “fly-by-night” enterprises.

These are only a few details that may save a person money, time, and stress.  Many companies will go to great lengths to get as much money and information as they can from unsuspecting individuals, only to pack up and never be heard from again.  Don’t be one of them.