| Desperate? You're Ripe for Internet Fraud | | | | themselves desperately trapped in these scenarios, |
| Desperate times call for desperate measures. People | | | | they are wide open for internet scams. For some |
| can and most often will do just about anything to get | | | | reason, they just can't see through all the smoke and |
| themselves out of tight spots, including falling for | | | | mirrors created by the scamsters. |
| internet scams. Heroically - miraculously even - a few | | | | Innocent Curiosity and Internet Fraud |
| of the more fortunate ones are able to fight their way | | | | We live in the age of information. We NEED to know! |
| back from disaster. Unfortunately, the number of those | | | | Scamsters KNOW this and count on it when |
| who are taken advantage of through a virtually | | | | developing their internet scams. |
| unending variety of internet scams far outnumber the | | | | - "See unpublished pictures and videos of Michael |
| fortunate few. Sadly, these people go from mere | | | | Jackson's Neverland Ranch performances" |
| desperation to total devastation. | | | | - "Hurricane Katrina rips the heart out of New Orleans |
| So what is it that causes people to continuously | | | | in 2005. However, new storms now brewing in the |
| become victimized by internet scams? Con artists | | | | tropics and targeting the U.S. will make Katrina look like |
| know all too well that their marks are easily | | | | 'Singing in the Rain'. Read more..." |
| categorized either by fear, greed or even seemingly | | | | - "You've won the Timbuktu Grand National Billion |
| innocent curiosity. These are common traits hard-wired | | | | Dollar Lottery. For a nominal fee (deducted from your |
| into every human being on the planet. This makes it not | | | | winnings so it won't cost you a thing) we'll take care of |
| only possible, but most probably that at one time or | | | | all the international banking details for you. Simply |
| another, we are all vulnerable to internet scams. | | | | complete the forms below..." |
| Fear and Internet Fraud | | | | Celebrities... World disasters... what if we DID win that |
| Fear is one of the most powerful of human emotions. | | | | lottery? Nothing is sacred from internet scams. If |
| It's a basic survival mechanism designed to alert us to | | | | anything, they feed voraciously off of other people's |
| danger. Like master wizards, con artists create | | | | misery and misfortunes. |
| situations that stir up intense fear in the masses. | | | | Innocent curiosity plays upon our imaginations, |
| Having successfully created the illusion, it's an easy | | | | stimulating the afore-mentioned fear and greed. They |
| step to present their internet scams as potential | | | | say curiosity killed the cat. It can also cripple your |
| solutions. | | | | computer as opening suspect emails can unleash |
| It's interesting to note that most fear is future directed. | | | | viruses that can wipe out your hard drive. As for those |
| In other words, we tend to use fear to imagine or | | | | forms you completed... say goodbye to privacy; hello |
| predict the most terrible and unwanted outcomes. | | | | identity theft! |
| More often than not, these become self-fulfilling | | | | A Word to the Wise About Internet Fraud |
| prophesies. Everything could be going well in your life | | | | I might be accused of using fear tactics myself as I |
| today, but what if...? That's why internet scams work | | | | write this article. However, having been victim to more |
| so hard to develop the appearance of lack or loss. | | | | than a few internet scams and even more real-world |
| - "If you don't act right now, this once in a lifetime | | | | scams, I would advise you to err on the side of |
| opportunity will be gone forever" | | | | caution. |
| - "The Swine Flu is running rampant in your | | | | I'll be the first to admit that taking my own advice is |
| neighborhood! Here is what you need to do to protect | | | | pretty hard. Isn't that usually the way - we need to |
| yourself now" | | | | practice more what we preach? In my case, I'm |
| - "Companies are cutting back or going out of business | | | | well-anchored by a very strong #6 in Maggie. Better to |
| completely. Your pink slip is coming up next. Never | | | | be a little disappointed today than to be totally wiped |
| worry about job security again with our..." | | | | out and devastated tomorrow. Here are just a few |
| What makes fear-based internet scams so effective | | | | things you can do to protect yourself from internet |
| is that they always include just enough 'truth' and | | | | scams: |
| 'proof' to convince even the most hardened skeptic, | | | | - Install and routinely RUN anti-virus as well as spyware |
| especially if those individuals currently find themselves | | | | and identity protection programs on your computer |
| in those very situations. Fear is too powerful an | | | | - Fill in minimum information on forms... first name and |
| emotion to ignore when it's conjured up to be life | | | | email at most. Use fictitious names and throw-away |
| threatening. | | | | email accounts like Hotmail or Gmail for everything you |
| Greed and Internet Fraud | | | | are not sure of. |
| When I think of greed, I see a large, pompous, | | | | - Print out the website's privacy policy and see what |
| cigar-puffing, ruthless business tycoon - a corrupt fat | | | | they can do with your information. (You'll be very |
| cat who uses everything and everyone to his sole | | | | surprised!) No privacy policy? Don't give them your |
| advantage and crushes anything else that stands in his | | | | information! |
| way; just the kind of sleazy scumbag behind the | | | | - Do your due diligence. Remember that internet |
| internet scams. "That's definitely not me," I hear you | | | | scams utilize fear, greed and curiosity as their main |
| saying. True enough. But is this the ONLY way | | | | tactics. Check everything and everybody thoroughly |
| humans display greed? | | | | before giving away your information and/or your |
| Like fear, greed is another hard-wired emotion found in | | | | money. If it looks too good to be true... well, do you |
| every one of us. Let's face it, most of us dream of a | | | | need to hear this again? |
| better life, with the word 'better' usually implying 'easier'. | | | | - Get yourself a good skeptic, someone you know |
| For example, how many of these internet scams have | | | | and trust, and LISTEN to them - especially if you are in |
| you checked out lately: | | | | a desperate situation. (I know most of you won't do |
| - "If I could show you an easy way to make twice as | | | | this. Like I said, I find this advice the hardest to follow |
| much money as you're making right now in half the | | | | myself. But I can't tell you how many times I wish I had |
| time, would you be interested?" | | | | listened!) |
| - "Eat the foods you like, as much as you want. And | | | | Having said all this, the web is a wonderful place with |
| forget about sweating through all those painful and | | | | internet scams making but just a small part! The bulk |
| boring exercises. Just relax and take this little pill three | | | | of information is brought to you by honest, hard |
| times a day with every meal and watch the pounds | | | | working people with only the best of intentions... people |
| disappear." | | | | just like you. |
| - "Can't find love? Our exclusive never-seen-until-now | | | | Even better, there are people online right now, thirsting |
| relationship service will match you with your soul mate | | | | for what you know in the way that only you can |
| tonight!" | | | | deliver. By caring about others and being willing to |
| Now reading any of these 'ads' usually triggers the BIG | | | | share, over time you can build your own wealth on the |
| #6 for most of us. (My wife Maggie and I took a | | | | internet. |
| personality course where #6 was a detailed | | | | Just thinking about the infinite possibilities... ah, you gotta |
| description of the skeptic!) But for those who find | | | | Love That Feeling! |