Click here for more details on these scams and how they work.

Click here to find out where to report these scams.

Scam Email #1

THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL LONDON.Address: 1 Sussex Place,Paddington, London, Unitted Kingdom
E-mail: alexandra_hotel@consultant.com
TEL: +447031882881WEB SITE: http://www.alexandrahotel-paddington.co.uk/

THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL LONDON, are recruiting new workers, so employment opportunities are available in which careers suite into these work categories below.It is our good pleasure to inform you that our 2012 recruitment for
new staffs has started.The Company needs at least 142 candidates for different positions,
as well as Company offered you to join various post in respective department.
You stand a chance to get a post if your qualification \ resume in which Project you have worked on according to your CV’s statement, your application will be given a full consideration.
We’ll offer You Air Ticket , Accommodation, Medication, Feeding and other relevant services as attractive salary awaits you.

QUALIFICATION
(a) MEN, WOMEN, FRENCH, SPANISH, ARABIC AND ENGLISH SPEAKERS.
(b) SECONDARY CERTIFICATE TO PhD HOLDERS.
(c) AGE IS FROM 19 yrs TO Unlimited age provided you can render the needed service.

If the candidate wants to come with his parents or friends, the Company will
arrange all facilities for Male & Female candidates.

BELOW IS OUR VACANT POSITIONS AVAILABLE.
Development & Real Estate, Engineering,Maintenance & Facilities,Food and Beverage,Culinary General Management, Front Office & Guest Services,Housekeeping & Laundry, Human Resources, Information Technology/Systems, Marketing & Public Relations, Procurement, Purchasing & Receiving, Retail & Gift Shop, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, Security & Loss Prevention, Six Sigma, Spa, Health Club & Recreation, Bus-help, Baker, Senior Sales Manager, Assistant Cook, Wait-help, Guest Service Assistant Manager, Pool Attendant, Door Attendant,1st Class Maintenance, 2nd Class Maintenance, Utility Steward, Executive Housekeeper, Assistant Chief Engineer, Front Service Attendant, Nail Technician, Wait-help,Therapist, Banquet Wait-help, Rooms Attendant, Head Gard Manger, Internships and Culinary Ex-tern-ships, Accountants, Finance & Tax, Administrative & General manager, Banquets, Catering & Convention Services, Call Center & Telemarketing, Creative Services stewards, Nurses, Technicians, Fashion designers, Artists , actors, models, actors and dancers, Doctors, Mechanics, Engineers, Cleaners & washers, Security, Club bouncers, Restaurant supervisors, Chefs, Receptionist,Food & Beverage Management, Store Keeper, Landscape & graphic designer, Computer Engineering, professional messengers, professional drivers, professional beauticians , professional gardener and florist, gym and exercise instructors, etc.
Our Company will be responsible for the payment for his/her Air ticket, Accommodation, Medication and Feeding. So if you are interested you can send your Resume to our Human Resources Department via below e-mail address with your C.V.
Email : alexandra_hoteljob@yahoo.com
We look forward for your prompt reply via this email address above for more information and details.
Good luck.

Johnson Peterson
Human Resources Manager
Alexandra Hotel & suites.

Scam Email #2

I am Eric Collins the new Human Resource Manager (International Operations) of CASS ART LONDON, UK.We are an international trading company dealing on the importation and exportation of Art work and paintings to America , Canada , Australia and some other European countries.

We are presently having problems handling our logistics from America and Canada as well as trying to tackle how our payments are remitted to us back here in the United Kingdom . hence, we need to recruit a Book-Keeper/Representative. I will like to know if you will be interested in working online from home and get paid weekly without creating inconvenience to your present job. As a book-keeper/Representative for the company all you have to do are below:

JOB DESCRIPTION

*. Recieve Documents/Payments in form of Check, Money Order, Bank
Draft,
*. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage
*. Forward balance after deduction of percentage to the company.

BENEFITS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

* The average monthly income is about $3000 to $4000.
* No form of investments from you.
* This job takes Less than 1-2 hours per day.
* You do not pay any form of taxes.

INFORMATION NEEDED

FIRST NAME………………
LAST NAME……………….
CONTACT ADDRESS………….
CITY……………………
ZIPCODE…………………
PHONE NUMBER…………….
GENDER………………….
OCCUPATION………………
AGE…………………….
NATIONALITY……………..

Your provided information will be sent for the first internal screening and comparation of applicant’s information. Please if you are interested in this position don’t hesitate to get back to me SWIFTLY.

Regards,
Eric Collins,
The H.R.M
CASS ART LONDON
66-67 Colebrooke Row
N1 8AB, London,
United Kingdom.
www.cass-arts.co.uk
Fax: +44-7024079799

Scam Email #3

Hello,

I have 7 of my company’s laptops (HP dv2500)for upgrading/reformatting, advice if both is part of your service line . All i need is you to remove Trojan virus that attacked all seven computers and re install avg free anti virus, And i want you to upgrade all computers from window vista Business to windows 7 professional. i have back up files for all computers,They have been attacked by various Trojan. Kindly advise the service charges for all the 7 laptop computers asap.

All computers are the same model,i want AVG home edition free anti virus,I will be providing windows 7 Professional Cd and License keys.

Looking forward to read from you.
Regards.

CEO
Brian Jones
BRIANECHTECH O Computer Systems, Inc

Scam Email #4

Hello Sir/Madam,

May I start by Introducing the Company I represent. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is a state-owned company founded in February 15, 1982.

It is one of the Largest state-owned ,as well as the largest offshore oil and gas producer.It is authorized to cooperate with foreign individuals and partners for oil and gas exploitation in China’s offshore areas.

Headquartered in Beijing.Presently, it has a total staff (foreign and non-foreign staff) of 51,000. We Export and Market Some of our Products In North/South America, Canada, Africa, Europe and Part Of Asia.We are presently searching Widely for Company representatives and we hereby officially ask you to work with us as our Representatives/Payment Collector of Our Company in Your area.

Your Contact Details was collected by recommendation by some Board of Directors and wth the help of Search Engines for Business inclined Individuals like yourself. You will be Entitled to a 10% Commission On Every Payment You receive on behalf of the Company.For more details, please reply this email: pterrence1@gmail.com with the detail below:

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Cell:

Occupation:

Sex:

Regards,

Paul Terrence

European Regional Officer

China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

The FTC writes…

The 2010 FTC complaint alleged that two individuals and five related companies deceptively claimed that their Acai Pure supplement would cause rapid and substantial weight loss, and that their Colotox colon cleanser would prevent colon cancer. Also, despite claiming to offer a “free” trial for a nominal fee and full refunds upon request, the defendants allegedly repeatedly made unauthorized charges to consumers’ bank accounts, and made it all but impossible to avoid paying full price for the products, typically $39.95 to $59.95.

The FTC charged that the defendants violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, as well as the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and its implementing language, Regulation E.
At the request of the FTC in August 2010, a federal court halted the allegedly illegal conduct of the Central Coast Nutraceuticals defendants, imposed an asset freeze, and appointed a receiver to oversee the corporate defendants.

The settlement order against the defendants includes an $80 million judgment, which represents the total amount of consumer injury caused by their scheme. The monetary judgment will be suspended when the FTC receives assets worth approximately $1.5 million from the defendants.

The settlement order requires defendant Graham D. Gibson to pay the FTC the balance of his investment account; transfer to the FTC $500,000 after mortgaging his home in Phoenix, Arizona, or transfer the property to a court-appointed liquidator if he cannot obtain the mortgage; and divest himself of his interest in a Hawaii vacation property. It also requires the court-appointed receiver to transfer to the FTC the estimated $600,000 that will remain in the accounts of Central Coast Nutraceuticals and the affiliated corporate defendants after their outstanding expenses are paid. If it is later determined that the financial information the defendants provided was false, the full amount of the judgment will become due.

In addition to banning the defendants from selling any products or services with a negative option feature, the settlement also prohibits them from:

• making deceptive statements that there is no cost for a trial purchase; that all consumers who request full refunds will get them; that celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray endorse their products; that consumer testimonials reflect typical consumer experiences; about the total amount consumers will pay; or about any other material fact regarding any goods or services sold by the defendants;
• failing to make adequate disclosures about the material terms and conditions of any offer;
• charging consumers’ credit cards, or debiting their bank accounts without their consent;
• making any claim that a product can diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease, including cancer, unless the claim is approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
• making any claim that a product can cause weight loss, unless the claim is supported by two well-controlled human clinical studies;
• making claims about the health benefits of any supplement, food, or drug without competent and reliable scientific evidence, and misrepresenting any tests or studies;
• making deceptive or false statements or failing to disclose material facts, to a payment processor or financial institution; and
• violating the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E.

Click here for the full press release.

Why This is Important

Acai weight loss products. Ways to make money from home.

It’s hard to see the connection there, but one does exist. It exists in the way both programs have been advertised and how they handle their billing practices. You’ve no doubt seen the ads on either Facebook, a NEWS website, or just about any other popular site out there. The ads go something like this:

“Local stay at home mom discovers secret to weight loss/white teeth/working from home/curing cancer/time travel! It’s the secret THEY don’t want you know about! Access the secret for free!”

They’re all the same. It’s a mom that discovered a “trick” to one of the world’s biggest problems and decided to sell that information to you for cheap. The only real trick, however, remains hidden within the billing practices of the company. There is no instant cure, but there are negative option billing terms that could cost you hundreds of dollars if you’re not careful. (If you want to learn more, I covered negative option billing with my Loral Langemeier post last week.)

Back to why this is important for us. There are a great number of work at home scams that are operating similar billing agreements to Central Coast Nutraceuticals. The work at home scams aren’t as bad because they’re not making outrageous health claims, but they’re still practicing unfair billing practices.

The fact that the FTC has stepped in, halted operations and fined the company $1.5 million dollars gives me hope for two reasons. 1. That other sites will stop practicing these unfair methods of billing out of fear and 2. the FTC will continue to prosecute other companies and assist consumers in getting their money back.

Central Coast Nutraceuticals is just a drop in the bucket. Here’s to hoping the FTC continues to prosecute. You can do your part to help by filing a Complain with the FTC by clicking here. If you’ve fallen victim to one of these scams, let them know!

How many times have you actually read the ‘Terms & Conditions’ page that you agree to every time you sign up for something? I’m not here to lambaste anyone. It’s a simple question. I’ll start.

I pretty much never read them. Hey man. I’m only human. The only time I actually give them a once-over is when I’m signing up for something that requires my credit card information. You won’t believe some of things you’d find tucked away in there. Things like negative option billing offers that could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

Negative option billing has been rearing it’s ugly head a lot on the Internet lately. Here’s how it works and why it sucks. You order something for “free” or for cheap (think “Just pay shipping & handling!”) but with your order comes a monthly subscription to one or a number of services. Regardless of whether you use them, or even know about them, you’ll be billed on a recurring basis for enrollment.

A reasonable person would ask, “Why not just not sign up for those services?” Because these subscriptions are usually hidden deep in the ‘Terms & Conditions page’ and thus you have the basis for this post.

Two Years of Loral Langemeier

I first covered Loral Langemeier and the Millionaire Maker Books nearly two years ago. Her business is still up and running and the complaints are still rolling in. Here are some recent horror stories I’ve received.

I am SO ANGRY!!!!

I am late into this. This morning I looked at a credit card statement because I wanted to pay off the card. I don’t really look at this account often because I don’t really use it; just autopay each month at this point. I found some charges for Loral Langemeier, $67.00 and $29.95. WHAT THE HECK??? Shoot, I couldn’t even remember who they were or what I had charged originally.

I went online to find out more about who the heck Loral Langemeier was and what was I thinking. Oh yeah….Millionaire Maker. I got the book in August, paid the $9.95 for shipping (another smart move) and a couple of weeks later got a call from the snottiest 20-something salesperson I have every spoken to in my life. He insulted me because obviously I was in my 40′s and still dumb enough to rely upon 401Ks and Deferred Comp plans and obviously if I had any ambition I would have started doing something about my retirement before now.

Then he proceeded to ask me what I wanted to do, what I didn’t even know what he meant. He said something about how they can find everyday things that people do but with their “special mentoring” can make bazillions but if I’m not willing to act ‘right now’ than obviously I’m not ready and I could just plan on staying on the same dumb track I was on now. Unbelievable.

I actually got so irritated with him that I asked him what kind of a stupid sales policy this was; to insult everyone of their potential customers after a one minute conversation where it was clear they had no idea what they were talking about.

I’ve been involved in International Sales & Marketing for years and now in the Transportation business at a level where some level of brain power is required.

I told him no, I wasn’t interested, you have no idea what you’re talking about, I had no interest in working with such rude people anyway. He kept coming at and I kept getting more surprised at how rude he was. Finally, I hung up on him!

I have never done that before! When I get sales calls I am usually polite and respectful because I know what it’s like to be on the other side.

Now I am on a rampage. I called the bank and they can’t help me until after I talk to LL. And I will be next week. They will get a very Merry Christmas from me.

After that first $9.95 in August, they have charged me $96.95/month ($67.00 +$29.95) for four months. I am now out $387!!

I will be demanding my refund, I will allege fraud to my State Attorney General’s office, the Attorney General for the state they operate in, I will call the radio station from which I heard the original commercial, and I will look at getting ad space on the very same radio station to warn the rest of the people about this fraud. These people are frauds. This will not happen to me again!

And another reader has written in with a similar story…

I just had the same thing to me!!! I ordered the program and before the 30 days was up called to cancel. Evan offered to let me have the program for $98 for life and said I had a few more days to decide on that and call back if I wanted it. I thought I had cancelled the $67 per month program, and we decided we didn’t want the lifetime offer so I didn’t call back. I just now discovered a $67 charge from them in Aug. so called my credit card company to dispute the charge .That’s when I learned that I had been charged in July and for Sept. already as well!!! for a total of $201!!!!!!!!!!!

I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE IN NOT CHECKING MY STATEMENTS REGULARLY SINCE THEY ARE AUTO PAY!!!!!!!!!! IF I HAD CHECKED I WOULD HAVE DISCOVERED IT AFTER THE FIRST CHARGE!!!!!! I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING A LOT AND GOT LAX ABOUT CHECKING MY STATEMENTS CLOSELY—BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!

I also was told by the supervisor I spoke to, Amanda, that a refund was impossible. When I said I had cancelled she asked for my cancellation #, which I don’t have and don’t know if I got one. Her comment was that everyone knows that if you don’t get a cancellation number–then it wasn’t cancelled!!!!!! I went on to explain that I thought I had cancelled and that the other lifetime offer was separate and independent from my first offer of $67 per month. But I got no where!!!

They went ahead and started charging me every month knowing that I had called to cancel and also knowing that I didn’t want the lifetime offer either!!!!

These are just two of a rather large number of complaints out there. Here are a few links for more reference:

http://www.scamdetective.com/Real-Estate/Loral-Langemeier/Loral-Langemeier-honest-scam-reviews

http://www.friendsinbusiness.com/board1/index.cgi/noframes/read/156284

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/loral-langemeier-millionaire-maker-c300921.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080306133525AA0bSSQ (this is especially rich with complaints about Loral Langemeier!!)

http://www.johntreed.com/Langemeier.html

http://www.reviewopedia.com/loral-langemeier.htm

I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of Loral Langemeier and we’re definitely nowhere near the end of negative option billing. You need to do your part and make sure you know who you’re dealing with online and start reading those ‘Terms & Conditions’ you usually ignore!

Five minutes could save you hundreds of dollars. Be safe out there!

Click here for more details on these scams and how they work.

Click here to find out where to report these scams.

Scam Email #1

Greetings!

> We have found your resume in seek.com.au database and believe you
> are a perfect candidate for a part time position available.

> Basic Requirements:

> – Be Available 6-10 hours per week;
> – AU Citizenship
> – Responsible
> – Over 18
> – PC/Home office
> – Computer skills, personal e-mail address
> – You may combine this work in our company with your main job

> If you are interested, please reply to : bataarmactgor@gmail.com with your short resume.

> Have a good day,
> THL Team

We would like to consider you for the position of administrative assistant/sales support. You’ll work at the convenience of your home, part-time.

THL, a luxury goods company, presents the best off-season luxury finds from the most prestigious international designers and collectibles from the rarest collections at irresistible prices.

Candidates for the job should possess excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to efficiently multi-task. Ideal candidates have a strong focus on day-to-day operational excellence, and a personal style that builds trust, and inspires loyalty. The candidate should be motivated, proactive, be able to learn and adapt quickly.

Other duties of the Administrative Assistant/Sales Support include, but are not limited to:

?Incorporating effective priorities for the virtual office function
?Administer day-to-day financial responsibilities for clients
?Reporting online daily
?Preparing brief summary reports, and weekly financial reports

Salary part-time: 1,800AUD/month, plus commission.

In the attachments you will find the agreement with a detailed job description. If you are interested in this trial period, which will last for one month, during which you will receive training, salary, and commission, please see the attached agreement. Upon successful completion of the trial period you will receive a contract to continue working with THL, have an option to change from part-time to full-time or continue working part-time.

Please read carefully the trial period agreement, complete, sign, and
forward back to us either via email or by fax +1-323-843-3874. If you have any questions please email.

Thank You,
Carolyn Sanders

Scam Email #2

Dear Sir/Madam
I am Doug Adams,the new Human Resource Manager (International
Operations) of Holland and Sherry Textiles, UK.We are an international
textile company dealing on the importation and exportation of Textiles
and Apparels to America , Canada , Australia and some other European
countries.
We are presently having problems handling our logistics from America
and Canada as well as trying to tackle how our payments are remitted to
us back here in the United Kingdom . hence, we need to recruit a
Book-Keeper/Representative. I will like to know if you will be
interested in working online from home and get paid weekly without
creating inconvenience to your present job. As a
book-keeper/Representative for the company all you have to do are below:
JOB DESCRIPTION
*. Recieve Documents/Payments in form of Check, Money Order, Bank
Draft,
*. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage
*. Forward balance after deduction of percentage to the company.
BENEFITS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
* The average monthly income is about $3000 to $4000.
* No form of investments from you.
* This job takes Less than 1-2 hours per day.
* You do not pay any form of taxes.
INFORMATION NEEDED
FIRST NAME………………
LAST NAME……………….
CONTACT ADDRESS………….
CITY……………………
ZIPCODE…………………
PHONE NUMBER…………….
GENDER………………….
OCCUPATION………………
AGE…………………….
NATIONALITY……………..
Your provided information will be sent for the first internal screening
and comparation of applicant’s information. Please if you are interested
in this position don’t hesitate to get back to me SWIFTLY.
Regards,
Doug Adams
The H.R.M
Holland and Sherry Textile
66-67 Savoile Row
N1 8AB, London,
United Kingdom.
www.hollandandsherry.com
Fax: +44-7006-015-677

Scam Email #3

From: TESORO CORPORATION
Subject: EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT AGREEMENT.

TESORO CORPORATION USA
19100 Ridgewood Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78259-1828, United States

http://www.tesorocorp.co.cc

Tel:+1 213 261 7612

With the approval of the Board of Directors of TESORO CORPORATION,we are delighted to formally offer you an appointment to work with us in TESORO CORPORATION.Please find attached Soft Copy of employment contract agreement which contains terms of employment for your perusal and immediate action if you find the terms acceptable. Upon thorough review and acceptance of this Contract Package, dot your signature in the space indicated in the last page of the Offer Letter and return same back to us via email attachment within a period of 5 working days for further proceedings.

Should you require more information, please feel free to contact us immediately; we await your prompt reply.

Congratulations!

Regards,

Craig M. LaTorre
Vice President, Human Resources and Communications.
TESORO CORPORATION
Tel:+1 213 261 7612
E-mail:careers@tesorocorps.co.cc
Website: http://www.tesorocorp.co.cc

Scam Email #4

I would like to thank you for taking the time to apply for our job position.

I am glad to hear from you. Lets go over the description requirements for the job. The following are some of the responsibilities you will have:

* Answering general phone calls for our department.
* Schedule appointments and coordinate customers.
* Handle bank deposits and outbound errands such as for company purchases.
* You will be responsible for a company fleet vehicle.
* You will also be responsible for one of our company credit cards in all official business.

After reviewing your resume, your qualifications are clear and I believe that you are better suited for this position than the other applications I received. I would like to begin the hiring process with you. Now, before I can schedule an interview, company policy dictates that you obtain a recent credit report (from past 2 business days). This policy was created ever since an issue we had with a few of our employees abusing the company credit card accounts.

I prefer and recommend you obtain your credit check here (Credit Report) since we have found them to be the most accurate and their service is free, however you are welcome to use any provider.

After you register with them, you will receive your report. Please do not send me the report via email since it has sensitive information. Instead, have a hard copy with you when we conduct your interview. Also, this report is just a formality and a low credit score will not disqualify you for the position, we will just discuss it together.

When you have obtained your report, email me your telephone number where I can contact you along with what day this week you would like me to schedule the interview on.

I am ready to fill this position this week and am looking forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,
Victoria Sweet
ATN Corporate – Human Resources

Halina’s story is both exciting and inspiring and I’m thrilled to hear of her success. Be sure to show her some love in the comments section.

Halina writes…

How Writing for “Content Mills” Allowed Me to Quit My Job and Become a Full-Time Freelance Writer

Two days ago, I resigned from my job at a biotech firm. It’s been a good ride for these past 5+ years, but it’s time to move on. I must say, my resignation left many questions in my coworkers minds!

I have no other “official” job lined up at the moment. I have told almost nobody in my family about my resignation; folks would think I’m crazy to give up a good-paying and benefits-laden job for what I’m about to embark upon. And yet, in the midst of my fears about how I’m going to handle private health insurance, mortgage bills, etc., I feel excitement…an excitement that I haven’t felt in a long time. This can only be the feeling that one gets when one is about to start a business of her own.

What is the business that I am starting? Why, it’s none other than my sole proprietorship, Haelix Communications (HC). The nature of HC’s business will be freelance and general writing on-demand.

Of course, I didn’t just wake up one morning and decide that I was going to quit my job and become a freelance writer. No, this decision is the result of 10+ years of writing privately and for work, conversing with other bloggers and writers, and attending many upon many networking events for entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, I also created my personal finance website, Your Money and Debt, took up affiliate marketing (check out Gelato-Maker sometime), and wrote extensively for so-called “content mills”. After all these years, I point to content mills as being the biggest reason why I can afford to quit my current job and go solo.

In early 2007, I started writing for a forum site called myLot. Although the pay was miniscule (~$0.01/post), I was thrilled that a website would actually pay me for posting to its forums. One day, while perusing site topics to comment on, I came across a post discussing the writing site Associated Content (AC). It sounded decent enough, so I applied to AC and started writing.

My first submitted article to AC netted me $14, an amount that would’ve taken several months to compile on myLot. I was hooked. I started writing on every topic imaginable and submitting my content as fast as possible. When AC introduced page view payments, things got even better; my monthly page view earnings went from $5 to $25 to even $40 per month. It wasn’t long before I was dreaming of retiring and becoming a full-time AC writer.

Then, about six months into my AC stint, my earnings per article were cut dramatically. I started receiving $5, $4 and sometimes under $3 for my content. It became apparent that writing for AC was no longer worth my time and I began looking elsewhere.

Through various review articles posted on AC, I became aware of Constant Content (CC) and Examiner. CC accepted content that was submitted on behalf of specific client requests; the site also accepted “free form” content for sale. The best thing about CC was the fact that I could set my own rates and author rights. The worst thing about CC was that the site took one-third of my earnings from the article sale price. Also, some clients would request time- or subject-specific content and then never buy the content I created. This led to my wasting a lot of time with CC writing requests, at least until I figured out that I should stop writing for specific client requests and just submit “evergreen” content that anyone would want to purchase.

Examiner was another bag entirely. The site paid only via page views. Since Examiner is well known in journalistic circles, my pay per article was initially quite high. Then, just like with AC, Examiner underwent some kind of Google reconfiguration. My 50+ articles, each of which earned me a buck per month, went to earning me maybe 10 cents per month. It became fruitless to continue writing for Examiner, unless I just wanted to broadcast some big news.

I kept looking for new writing sites with which to sign on. I tried Helium but didn’t like how member earnings were determined by votes. I also tried HubPages, InfoBarrel, Demand Studios, and Triond. Through I’ve Tried That’s Free Directory of Online Money Making Opportunities, I found out about and later posted a review of Textbroker, a freelance writing site that can fetch $0.05 per word or more. To this day, I write content for Textbroker; it is by far one of my best money-making writing sites.

An interesting phenomenon occurred every now and then: potential freelance writing clients would contact me directly using either my personal finance or Haelix Communications websites. The clients were finding me through my published content on sites such as AC, Examiner, InfoBarrel and HubPages. I began obtaining direct writing assignments from these clients, and often for a higher rate of pay too. This got me thinking about the amount of clients and money I needed per month in order to “retire” from my current job. Given that I already generated as much as $1K from certain clients and ”content mills”, my proposed retirement might be possible. The question I now had was, how could I empirically determine if freelance writing would support me financially?

Looking at my monthly expenses, I knew that my mortgage bill of $930 took the biggest bite out of my income. There were also monthly utility bills totaling about $400 per month. I added up my income from AC, Google, my websites and Examiner and decided to track it for a period of four months. This would help me understand if I could survive without my current job. My reasoning was that if I earned enough money to at least pay off my mortgage every month, then working full time at my freelance writing “gig” would provide enough of an income for me to quit my job.

The breakdown of my earnings outside of my regular job for the next four months were as follows:

When I added up all of my earnings from the above noted freelance writing and freelance writing-related activities, the total amount was $3,771.69, which worked out to $942.92 per month. I had earned enough money to actually pay off my monthly mortgage.

What happened next? Well, I didn’t just quit my job the next day. Instead, I continued tracking my freelance writing earnings month-by-month, making sure that I could make it if a client “fired” me or otherwise terminated my contract. I also began looking for more long-term writing projects with magazines and periodicals. Interestingly enough, one of the “content mills” that I’d all but given up on, AC, was acquired by Yahoo! and started sending very lucrative writing assignments to its more seasoned writers. As a result, I was able to pick up an extra $200-$300 per month just from AC alone.

Inevitably, I felt confident enough in my skills as a freelance writer to announce my resignation at work. This was a scary, and yet an incredibly exhilarating moment in my life. I have no regrets, and I look forward to my new career.

-Halina Zakowicz
Haelix Communications

You can buy gift cards at a discounted price or you can sell gift cards you don’t want or need to Cardpool. They will sell the gift cards at a discount to people who will actually use them. The beauty of it all is that you can save money and still receive the same product, or you can make money on a gift card you don’t want to use and put that money to better use elsewhere.

The most reassuring factor of the whole site is that you deal with Cardpool only. If you buy a gift card, it has been 100% verified to have the correct amount on it. If you’re selling a gift card, you get paid in cash upfront for gift card. You don’t have to deal with other users at any time. Not to mention there are no shipping or processing fees when buying or selling gift cards.

The gift cards also do not expire, there are no extra fees associated with them, and you have a 100-day return policy. Yeah, I’m going to check this site before I do any shopping from now on.

Buy Gift Cards and Save Money

There are two types of gift cards for sale: electronic and physical gift cards. Both types are on sale at Cardpool for up to 35% off their value. Electronic gift cards are emailed to you and you can use them online instantly. Physical gift cards take a few days to arrive by mail.

So far, I’ve only purchased one gift card from Cardpool. It was an electronic gift card to Pacsun worth $95.70. I only paid $80.39 for it, saving me 16% off of my order. Here’s a screenshot of my transaction:

Not bad right? I had an order in my shopping cart ready to be checked out worth $105. I checked Cardpool at the last minute and saw that Pacsun had gift cards available. I bought one right away and instantly received an email with details on how to redeem the gift card online. Before checking Cardpool, I was ready to pay $105 for an order. 10 minutes later, that exact order only cost me $89.69. Same items. Same order. Cardpool.

Click here to browse the available gift cards.

I am planning on picking up a few extra gift cards this weekend for Christmas. I have two sisters that insist on clothes for presents. (I believe this is a clever way of asking for gift cards honestly.) Both shop at a store called Ann Taylor Loft and Cardpool happens to have gift cards there for 20% off.

Now, I can go to Ann Taylor Loft and spend $100 on a $100 gift card, or I can go to Cardpool and buy a $100 gift card for $80. Seems like a no-brainer right? You’re getting a $100 giftcard to Ann Taylor either way, it’s just that you save $20 if you buy it through Cardpool instead.

One thing to note is that you’re not getting some sort of Cardpool branded piece of paper or something like that. You’re getting an authentic gift card that is absolutely no different than the one you’d pay for in the store.

Sell Gift Cards and Make Money

You can also sell gift cards you don’t no longer want. You aren’t going to get full price for your gift cards, but they do make reasonable offers depending on the supply and demand of that particular store.

Since you’re selling the gift cards for less than what they’re worth, definitely make sure it’s a gift card you aren’t going to use. I currently have a $25 gift card to a chain restaurant that I don’t particularly like. Cardpool offered to pay me $20.25 for the card. I think I’m going to sell it because even though I’m losing $4.75, I can use that $20.25 at a restaurant I actually enjoy.

Cardpool does cover the cost of shipping the gift card for you. Once they receive the gift card and verify the correct amount on the gift card, they’ll mail you a check for the price you agreed upon. They are a trustworthy company and have been reviewed by CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other highly reputable publications. I haven’t sold a gift card there yet, but I may have a few gift cards I don’t want in about two week’s time.

Click here for more information on how selling works.

Is Cardpool a Scam?

Absolutely not.

I have personally bought and used gift cards from Cardpool and HIGHLY recommend you do the same. It’s a great way to save money and receive the same exact product you would have received in a store. I can’t wait for December 26th because the gift card market is going to be flooded and I plan on saving a bit of cash.

Click here and check out Cardpool now!

If you have any experience with the company, please leave a comment below!

It’s a scam-filled rut, but a rut nonetheless.

These past couple months there’s been a trend of reviews here. I’ve covered three things primarily: fake check scams, push-button nonsense, and updates on programs that I like. These things are all fine, of course, but I’ve been wanting to try something new.

That’s where you guys come in.

Send in a Review Request

I need a nice long list of programs or products to try. Is there something out there that you’ve been wanting to try, but unsure if you

DON’T SEND IN…

• “Push Button” Sales Pages – If the program is offering thousands or even millions of dollars for simple work, I don’t want to try it.
• MLM or Pyramid Schemes – These just aren’t my style.
• HYIP or Ponzi Schemes – These are illegal.
• Data Entry or Rebate Processing – These have been beat to death over the years. The next data entry program isn’t anything different.
• Basic Affiliate Marketing Courses

DO SEND IN…

• Programs You Have Tried and Liked – Especially if that program or product has actually made you money or has improved your quality of life in any way.
• Work at Home Aides
• Advanced Concepts in Affiliate/Internet Marketing
• Physical Products – I’ve reviewed random objects as well, including wake up lights, heated mattress covers, and even food.

Just use your own judgement really. If you received an informal newsletter blast about a new product launch, that’s probably not what I want to review. If you saw a late night infomercial on a product that grows tomatoes upside down, yeah, I’ll definitely give that a shot.

I just want to breathe some new life into the blog. It’s getting a little stale.

Do your part and help me out!

Click here to submit a review request

Yes, I know that’s the complain form, but it works all the same.

Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!

Love,
Steve

General rule of thumb here: if a site doesn’t tell you what you’ll be doing unless you pay them first, it’s pretty safe to say that site can be avoided.

Another thing to note: I don’t know where these guys are finding their templates, but I don’t understand why everyone needs to use the old “iPhone on a wooden desk” template to peddle these things. There has to be SOMETHING else out there.

Beware of Cash On Demand and Job Replacing Income

The biggest cause of uneasiness for me is within this block of text found on their website…

This is Not an MLM of pyramid scheme
This is Not a bogus data entry scam
This is Not an envelope stuffing rip-off
This is Not a rebate processing scam

Making money from home has never been this easy. For a small one-time activation fee you can Get Started Instantly!

This is pretty much the extent of the information offered regarding their product. You get a list of what you WON’T be getting and then they follow up and say how easy it is to make money.

Other than that, there’s a mention of a training kit, an automated website, and support. They do offer a 60-Day money back guarantee though. Cash on Demand is using Clickbank. If you’re unfamiliar with Clickbank, it’s a payment processor that does indeed offer a 60-day money back guarantee on EVERY product sold through their marketplace.

There are only two real mentions of what you get when you surrender your credit card information: an “automated money making website” and a training kit. That’s it. So I decided to do a little bit of research on the sales page itself.

I copied and pasted one of the lines from the sales page into Google because I wanted to see if any other sites out there used the same content and premise as EasyCashOnDemand.com.

The results…

1,330 results! This means Google is tracking 1,330 different websites all using the same exact content as found on EasyCashOnDemand.com. This leads me to believe the only thing you get when you pay $19.95 is an exact replica of EasyCashOnDemand.com and the only way to make money with the program is to sell the same program to other people. You’re paying for a “money making website” that sells other “money making websites.”

The Bottom Line

Skip over offers that promise you an “automated money making website” that requires no work on your part.

Sites like these just don’t work. You’re competing against thousands of other people all using the same content, format, and layout. Your site isn’t going to stand out among the crowd.

If you want to actually make money with a website, you need to create someone on your own. Automated and prefabricated websites do not perform well online. Google and other search engines love unique content. With a site like this, you’re not really providing value to anyone.

Click here for more details on these scams and how they work.

Click here to find out where to report these scams.

Scam Email #1

Whitstable Oyster Company needs employers in Canada for stable work of our branch Since we have not yet establish a local Branch in Canada.

This position provides support in the daily operation of benefits administration. What you will have to do is to perform basic bank operations like receiving wire transfers from citizens that are interested in our Company Products.

This is a home based job and can also be worked with your current job because it is a per-time Job.Your income will be from $2,000 to $4,000 per month, depending or your speed and accuracy.

We are seriously located in the United Kingdom If you are satisfied with all working conditions and wish to enroll, Please, contact our HR department at (whitstableoystercompany@gmail.com) With your C.V or Resume.

Regards,
Barrie Green,
Whitstable Oyster Company
Ground Floor Euston Road,
London NW13UH.

Whitstable Oyster Company LTD is seeking for a qualified, reliable, efficient And dedicated representative to help facilitate Her business transactions. The job is based on administrative/customer Service support thereby enhancing productivity and above all Performing basic bank operations.

Basic payment scheme will be;
-$4000 USD monthly income (par time)

Other included benefits are;
-No money required
-Opportunity for advancement
-15% increment after 3 months
-Tax and all travel fees are repaid

We are seriously located in the United Kingdom If you are satisfied with all working conditions and wish to enroll, Please, contact our HR department at (oyster.cobookings@hotmail.com) With your C.V or Resume

Regards,
Barrie Green.
Whitstable Oyster Company LTD.

Scam Email #2

Good day,
How are you doing?Hope you’re having a pleasant day, I am in search of
dependable individual with a high pedigree to help me handle my Business
errands. LILIAN HESS is My name.
I have been A photographer for over 30 years and also has been teaching
photography for 20 years.

While I am out of the states,I need some one who can stand in the gap for
me.His/her duties will be:
To receive letters and mails on my behalf.
Receive Payments from clients who want to attend the forth coming workshops or
Live shows.
Schedule appointments for me.
Book my flight tickets. Send letters and mails from my clients.

since i am not available now to set up a face-to-face interview,supply out
correctly personal information including your resume

Benefits:
Yearly performance bonus
Paid vacation/sick/personal days
Also, there will be compensation for efficiency and hard working.
Please reply via: lilianfeedback@gmail.com
Your’s Faithfully
Lilian Hess

Scam Email #3

Hello

I am Bill Smith from OutHouseStudio Inc. I need someone to work with me from his or her home as personal assistant to monitor and keep me up to date with my activities.

ABOUT MYSELF : My name is Bill Smith, I head the post of Chief Accountant in the Accounting Department of Out-house Studio Incorporated Worldwide, I travel alot to all our branches across the world on regular Basis due to the Company’s Instructions towards progress of the Company.. Have been the company Chief Account for over 35years and my Reputation proceeds me because of my Faithfulness and Honesty towards the Company…

Duties and Requirements:

JOB DESCRIPTION:
1: You will be Employed to the Post of Receiving Checks from me i will send out my Bank PassBook Check Notes.
2: I will list out Names and Address of the Company Workers which you will be writing out Checks of Various Amount to them
3: You will be dispatching out the Checks to them either via Fedex Courier Service OR Ups courier Service
4: And you will get back to me with Each Tracking number of each Worker checks so that i can give it to them to track their Payment.

JOB SALARY : INITIAL MONTHLY PAYMENT IS $2000 EVERY MONTH FOR STARTING ..though later it will increase up !

Working hours:Mon-Friday
Total Hours (Per Week):25hours
($2000 monthly)

This position is home-based and flexible part time job,you can be in any location you will be working from your home doing all the activities. Am out of state for business trip i will be back in next weekend before that i want you to start working for me and I do have a number of things you could help me with this week if you will be available to start.This can act as a stable foundation to our working relationship. I have first task waiting for you to know if you are ready to work.

I want to know if you own any of this office equipments list you need to start this position:

Printer:
Personal Laptop/Desktop:
Internet Access:
Scanner:
Fax machine:
Laminator:
Paper Cutter:
Calculator:

Here are the Supplies to buy in order to get started asap

VersaCheck Form 3000
VersaInk Universal Refill
Can be Bought @ http://www.OfficeMax.com or http://www.Versacheck.com

If you have any of this office equipments let me know also fill the application form below.

APPLICATION FORM

First Name :
Last Name:
Full Street Address(not po box) :
City, State, Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number:
Home Phone Number:
Email:
Age:
Sex:
Marital Status:
Yahoo Messenger ID:
Note:If you do not have yahoo ID set-up one to chat with me online.

Nationality

Current Job:

Are you eligible to work in the United States?Yes x No_____

If you are under age 18, do you have an employment/age certificate?Yes ___ No___. N/A

POSITION/AVAILABILITY:

Position Applied For P/T Personal Assistant

How often do you check your email: all day

Specify the hours that you will be available if my schedule doesn’t work with the hours i requested

Days/Hours Available:

Monday____
Tuesday ____
Wednesday____
Thursday____
Friday____
Saturday____
Sunday____
Hours Available: from_______ to______

What date are you available to start work?________________

ADVANTAGE : You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home office. You can earn up to $2500-3000 monthly depending on time you will spend for this job..You can do the Work easily without leaving or affecting your present Job.The employees who make efforts and work hard have a strong possibility to become managers.

Thanks for your anticipated action.And we hope to hear back from you.

Out House Inc (US)

Email & Add Me : Bill_smith2121@yahoo.com

Bill Smith

Scam Email #4

L&N TEXTILE
& FABRICS LIMITED
RM 604 EAST OCEAN CENTRE
26 VILLE ROAD LONDON

My name is Bill Smith, Marketing officer for L&N TEXTILES AND FABRICS
LTD. I want to employ you as our agent if you’re still looking for job. We have been selling our products for the past few years and we’re lately facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling our products to Americans because they are always offering to pay with U.S MONEY ORDER/CHECKS,
which is difficult for us to cash here. We are looking for representatives in the states who will be working for us as a part-time worker and
be willing to pay 10% for every transaction, which wouldn’t affect your present state of work.

We need someone who would be helping in receiving payments from our clients in the States. An agent who is responsible and reliable that will
be handling the payment aspect. The payment will be addressed and sent to you and all you need do is to get it cashed, deduct your percentage
and wire the balance back to any of our accountants/lawyers in our regional warehouses. The problem we have is getting someone that is really capable and
trustworthy as though we surely have our way of getting anyone that tries to get
away with our money. The FBI will surely be interested and get
involved.

This offer is not going to cost you any amount because all you need to
do is to receive payments which will be sent to you via delivery
courier from our clients, which would come in form of a money order/check get
it cashed and send the cash to our accountants/lawyers via
MONEYGRAM, WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER and required charges for all
transfer should be deducted from the money.

If you’re interested, kindly get back to me ASAP with the information
below. Please note any transaction carried out by our staff on behalf
of this organization will be insured against risk.and the BANK ARE SUNTRUST BANK,

FULL NAME:
OCCUPATION:
POSITON HELD:
ADDRESS:
PO.BOX NOT ACCEPTED:
PHONE NUMBER:
CELL PHONE:
GENDER:
MARITALSTATUS:
AGE:
ZIPCODE:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
CITY:
WORKING EXPERIENCE:

I__________hereby accept the job as a representative of the above
mentioned company here in the United States, to receive payments on behalf
of the company. Payment received by me shall be processed, make
deduction of 10% as agreed and forward the balance payment via to any of the
company’s regional warehouses that will given to me later. I shall also
inform the company a week ahead if eventually l want to discontinue this
job, so as to terminate all payments coming my way to avoid conflict.
Signed by me.

…………………
Your faithfully,

Bill Smith
+44704571084

EMAIL OUR ACCOUNTING OFFICER WITH DETAILS BELOW

NAME:MR RAYMOND BASMA
EMAIL OUR ACCOUNTING OFFICER WITH THIS EMAIL:(john.gordon642@gmail.com)

Despite Beacon Construction’s best efforts to look legitimate, it only took me a few moments to spot the scam. These guys pulled out all the stops. They have a professional looking website, lots of information available, and even links to a BBB profile. Unfortunately, the “job” they’re offering is still a scam.

Special note: This is NOT the same company as the Beacon Construction Group (BCG) found at beaconconstructiongroup.com. BCG is a legitimate company.

The Beacon Construction and BeaconUSco.com Scam

Here is the email currently being sent out…

Hello,

Our Company is delighted to offer you a position of a Subsidiary
Manager. We are all excited about the potential that you carry to our
company. We plan to set up a small subsidiary company in your area and
that is why we are looking for Managers.

Our company is a mid-size company based out of North Palm Beach, FL.
Beacon Construction is a State Certified General Contractor (#CGC
1512140), State Certified Roofing Contractor (#CCC 1328234), Building
Inspection, Mold Testing, Remediation and Consulting Company. Our
mission is to provide every client with an experience of honesty,
quality, integrity, excellence, attention to detail, on time
scheduling and guaranteed workmanship all at an affordable price. Our
knowledge and experience is not local, but global.
Our website is: http://www.beaconusco.com

You will be organized as an exempt executive-level W-2 employee. Your
initial compensation package includes a monthly salary of $4500 and
commission on top of it, full medical and dental coverage through our
company’s employee benefit plan.

Description of the position:

* Manage business (a business will be created for you at our expense)
* Organization of payoffs straight from clients to employees by
bank wires and money transfer systems (a business bank account will be
set up with our assistance)
* Performing administration work
* Ordering materials and supplies
* Advertising the company in local newspapers and magazines (at our expense)
* Scheduling payments and meeting the deadlines as per invoices

This is NOT a francise and you do NOT have to pay anything to work with us.
You’ll need to find an office for rent and undergo a 2-week probation period.
The training period lasts for 1 month with our Project Manager who
arrives to train you.

Please, complete the form on our website if you are interested in this
managerial position:

http://www.beaconusco.com/r.php?i=3

If you meet all of our minimum qualifications, you can expect a
response from us within 48 hours of my receipt of your registration
(except for Saturdays and Sundays).

Thank you again for your interest and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Stacey Friedman

Stacey Friedman | Manager | Beacon Construction |
Ph: 561-459-3790 | Fax: 800-520-6078 | s.friedman at beaconus-mail.com

Evidence This is a Scam

All of the evidence you need is right in the job description. There’s one single line that stands out that immediately points this out as a scam:

* Organization of payoffs straight from clients to employees by bank wires and money transfer systems (a business bank account will be set up with our assistance)

Any company that requires you to handle their money, and either accept or send money via wire transfer, is 100% always a scam. Real companies DO NOT hire random people to accept payments on their behalf. No company is going to be okay with a stranger receiving large sums of money that is owed to them.

This is a payment processing scam. Participating in it will cost you thousands of dollars and may even cause you to lose your identity or get in trouble with the authorities.

If that’s not enough, the domain name “BeaconUSco.com” was registered just 9 days ago on November 21st. By a guy named “Robert Haise” and it was registered to this address: “59 Avenu. New York, NY” Yes, that is the EXACT information used to register the domain name. The website itself is actually hosted in the Ukraine.

Finally, the text posted at BeaconUSco.com was stolen word for word from a number of other construction websites. It seems they overlooked quite a few things.

The Bottom Line

DO NOT work for Beacon Construction and BeaconUSco.com.

Click here for more information on how the scam works.

Follow this one simple rule: NEVER accept a job that requires you to handle someone else’s money. If an “employer” want you to receive a check and forward the money elsewhere, it is 100% guaranteed to be a scam. Every. Single. Time.