INVESTMENT TIPS - Have YOU been sucked in by a scam? Here's how to tell

Have YOU been sucked in by a scam? Here's how to tell
By Derek Gehl Derek

Last week I wrote an editorial warning people away from the so-called "business in a box."

Since then I've received a FLOOD of emails from people who say they've just spent big money on a complete "online cash machine" package... and now they're worried they may have wasted their savings on something that's never going to make them a dime!

A lot of these people have asked me to do some research on the product they've bought and tell them whether I think it's a good money-making opportunity or not.

I'm really sorry, but as CEO of a $60-million dollar business, I simply don't have the time to check out hundreds of different products and tell you which ones are decent and which ones you should avoid like the plague.

But I CAN offer you something even better than that...

... I can empower you by giving you the information you need to decide for YOURSELF whether a business opportunity is the "real deal" or not.

Today I'm going to educate you on how to filter the REAL money-making opportunities from all the B.S. out there, with my "Scam Detector Check List"!

Whenever you come across a possible business opportunity, simply consult this handy checklist. It'll help you discover if it is a real opportunity -- or a real waste of money.

Scam Warning #1: The company can't prove a successful track record

If you've never heard of the company before -- and they can't offer solid proof they've got a successful track record -- then how can you trust them to help YOU make money?

Be skeptical. Ask questions. If they say they're a successful company, ask for proof!

Scam Warning #2: You can't talk to a company representative in person

Before you make a significant investment in a business opportunity, give the vendors a call. Talk to them in person. Ask them hard questions.

If they don't make it easy for you to them in person, then don't do business with them!

Scam Warning #3: Former customers have lousy things to say about the product

A little bit of research goes a long way. Try typing "the name of the program + scam" or "the name of the program + customer review" into Google and see what results you get.

If the majority of the results are from former customers saying the product is a scam or a waste of money, then whatever you do, don't make the same mistake THEY did!

Scam Warning #4: Thousands of other people are selling the EXACT same thing

If your "business in a box" package includes a product for you to sell, do a search on the name of the product in Google and go through the results. How many people are selling the exact same product? Say hello to your competition!

(And how many of them are using the exact same website the company is trying to get YOU to buy?)

If a lot of people are selling that product -- and you can't see any way to offer a unique selling proposition that makes your offer stand out from the crowd -- then quite frankly, you're going to find it extremely difficult to make any money at all.

Scam Warning #5: They can't show you legitimate testimonials -- from recent customers

If you are making a significant investment in a business opportunity, the company you are purchasing from should be willing to put you in contact with other successful customers. We get this request all of the time, and have numerous successful customers who are happy to give us a personal reference at a moment's notice.

(If you'd like to take a look at how we use those testimonials on our salesletters, please visit: www.marketingtips.com/tipsltr.html.)

Look for testimonials that names, photographs, and URLs, if possible. The more information that proves the testimonial giver is a real person, the better.

If the testimonial has a URL, go to that person's website and check it out. Does it look like the website of someone who's making good money? Look for the contact info on the site and then email that person to ask him or her directly about the product you're thinking about buying.

If the person says yes, it really is a good deal, and is still experiencing good results with that product, then chances are it's the real deal.

However, be on the watch for DATED testimonials. If people were able to make money using this package two years ago -- but the profits have long since dried up -- then the product's not going to do you much good now, is it?

Scam Warning #6: The company is charging YOU money to sell THEIR products

Ask yourself this: If a company is making a product that millions of people are going to want to buy, why wouldn't they simply sell it themselves -- instead of making other people pay for the opportunity to sell it for them?

The truth is, companies like this KNOW their "affiliates" aren't going to generate any sales. That's why they need to get your money up front!

Take it from someone who has been running a highly successful affiliate program for years. If someone wants to become an IMC affiliate and sell my products for me, I'd never make them pay. Why should they? They're doing me a favor!

Scam Warning #7: The company makes outrageous income claims, without backing them up with proof

If a company says their product will have you earning tens of thousands of dollars within a matter of weeks, BE SKEPTICAL. There is no magic bullet on the Internet that can promise a five-figure income in 30 days or less.

The truth is, building a profitable business takes TIME. Sure, you can have a profitable business in less than a month... but you'll probably have to wait a few more months before the money really starts pouring in.

So whenever you see outrageous income claims, ask yourself -- where's the proof?

Look for testimonials that back up these claims. If someone claims to have made incredible money from using this system, track them down via their URL and ask them if it's really true.

And be sure to listen to your "inner radar" to determine whether the person is genuine or not.

Above all, do your research and ask lots of questions. If you follow these guidelines, chances are you will make the right decisions and pursue the right opportunities.

When it comes to online success, there is no magic pill. If you want to start a real business on the Internet you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort to build it.

In my Insider Secrets course, I give you a step-by-step blueprint on exactly what you need to do to build a profitable online business. No false promises, no B.S. -- just the exact instructions you need to follow if you want to be successful on the Internet.

Just remember, when you're thinking about buying into an "online cash machine" opportunity, use your common sense.


My team and I can give you all of the strategies you need to make that happen. And we can break them down into easy-to-follow instructions. But the rest is up to you!

Until next time...