Protect yourself...
Scam Q&A
Anatomy of a Scam
Types of Scammers
Warning Signs of a Scam
Warnings of Internet Scam
What to do if Scammed
Scams
Nigerian Money Scam
Envelope Stuffing
Assembly Work
Medical Billing
900 Lines
Diploma Mills
FedEx/UPS Refund Tracer
Unclaimed Money
Bulk Email
Gambling Systems
Lottery Systems
Chain Letters
Home Typists
Email/Name compilers
Coupon Booklets
Adult Site Age Verification
Warnings
Government Auctions
Credit Repair
Free Vacations
High Yield Investments
Seminars
Infomercials
Business Opportunities
Wholesale Directories
Day Trading Systems
Website Design Jobs
Photography Jobs
Work at Home Listings
Government Loans/Grants
Scholarships
Display Rack Businesses
Domain Name Appraisals
Website Acquisitions
Ebay
Pay Per Click Advertising
Internet Affiliate Marketing
Paid Surveys
Mystery Shopping
'Make Money' Ebooks
Make Money Online
Clickbank
Online Malls
Matrix/Downlines
SEO Services
Talent/Modeling Agencies
Paid Website Traffic
Vending Business
Internet Consultants
Attending a seminar can be a great way to learn about a new business
opportunity such as real estate or investing. However, not all seminars are
equal.
Thousands of consumers throughout the country have attended "seminars"
in hotel rooms or other public forums where they are persuaded to invest in
fraudulent business opportunities and investments, according to the Federal
Trade Commission and 11 state law enforcement agencies.
Typically, consumers are lured to the seminars by infomercials or letters
promising instruction in how to operate a home-based business, how to buy
and sell real estate, how to trade in securities, or invest in foreign
currencies, among other things, in order to earn big income. At the
seminars, however, consumers learn very little, if anything, about how to run
a business or make profitable investments. Instead, they are treated to slick
sales pitches for schemes that are essentially worthless. Often consumers
succumb to these pitches because the seminar hucksters create the
impression that anyone, regardless of experience, can buy their program
and earn a lot of money.
Generally, seminar programs are conducted in stages over a period of
several hours in an environment conducive to gaining consumer confidence
that ends with a pitch to buy the huckster's phoney goods. A common ploy of
hucksters is to lace their sales pitches with folksy yarns, personal
anecdotes and "success stories," to establish rapport with consumers and
reinforce the notion that they can earn substantial income.
In an ongoing campaign to combat fraud perpetrated through seminars,
law enforcement officials in 25 states and the FTC have joined forces to
bring law enforcement actions against perpetrators and to educate
consumers to protect themselves from being the victims of fraud.
FTC recommends that you take the following precautions before purchasing
a business or investment opportunity pitched at a seminar:
- Take your time. Don't be rushed into buying anything at a seminar.
Avoid high pressure sales pitches that require you to buy now or risk
losing out on the opportunity. Remember, solid opportunities are not
sold through nerve-racking tactics.
- Investigate the business you're considering investing in. Talk to
experienced business people and experts in the field before
spending your money.
- Be wary of "success stories" or testimonials of extraordinary
success. The seminar operation may have paid "shills" to give
glowing stories.
- Be cautious about purchasing from seminar representatives who
are reluctant to answer questions, or who give evasive answers to
your questions. Remember that legitimate business people are
more than willing to give you information about their investment or
sales opportunity.
- Ask about how much money you need to qualify for the investment
or sales opportunity, and ask about the company's refund policy.
Get this in writing. Keep in mind that you may never recoup the
money you give to an unscrupulous seminar operation, despite the
operator's stated refund policies.
Taking these precautions before you buy a program is a more effective
way to safeguard your money than trying to get a refund after the
investment's been made.
