Liars – Crooks and Thieves – There are a Million and One Ways to be Separated from Your Hard Earned Money

December 1, 2011 MarketingLover entrepreneur

Since this blog is about marketing,  I thought it was appropriate to discuss how not to be separated from your money online.  Or I should say, don’t be separated from your money and get nothing in return.   It’s quite appropriate to be separated from your cash if you receive something in its place..

Simply because someone says it’s so… doesn’t necessarily mean it is.  Unfortunately we all assume that people are being honest with us.   Assuming this can prove to be very dangerous.  As a person who is interested in being an entrepreneur,   it is important to have a handful of people that you can generally trust and know a little bit about everything.  I am sure you know these types of people.    Then there are those who have a specific skill set that may be of use to you, but are ignorant on other things.   For example,  an attorney probably would not be able to help you with internet marketing or how to get the most traffic to your websites… or the dangers of faux hits, etc.   Furthermore,  depending on their field,  there are few attorneys that are inept in the areas of intellectual property laws… something that really comes into play when you are dealing with marketing, especially online marketing.   So whether you are buying or selling online,  you need to be careful out there.   Learn to think critically!

I mention this because it really pays to be a critical thinker.  There are tricks and crooks all over the place… the internet is a haven for these slicksters who think nothing of taking your hard earned cash.   Fortunately,  there are things you can look for and places to go to find trusted partners to deal with… there is nothing better than word of mouth…  and sometimes you just have to find out for yourself and take a chance… I know I have.. sometimes I have won and won dearly and other times I have lost..  Graduating from the school of hard knocks is almost a requirement.  No one is going to tell you exactly what to do and how to do it.  If you want this kind of hand holding, I suggest you secure a job ASAP.  Anyway,  here are some things to look out for.

Always make sure you have recourse.  Even if it means  using an escrow service or withholding payment via your credit card,  make sure you have some kind of recourse.. this goes for all things business.  I can go into a lot of the complexities,  I have argued with many on the topic… just make sure you have it,  ok?    Be leary of checks,  whether via paypal or not…  Checks can cause a lot of problems..  also be sure you have proof that the transaction actually happened.  If you sent someone something that was paid for via Paypal,  be sure to provide a tracking number for proof in case they say there is a problem.  NEVER send out anything through the mail until AFTER THE CHECK has cleared,  this goes for Echecks via Paypal as well…  you could be left holding the bag if your customer’s check bounces… Just don’t do it.  If you are selling online, no matter the forum… 1. Wait for payment to clear 2.  Have proof you sent the payment.  3. Send to a verified Paypal Address.

Crooks will use paypal to send you money via Echeck,  knowing the check will bounce,  you send the product and left with a negative balance in your paypal account… which they will withdrawal from your checking account.      Crooks will also say “I never received the product”.  This is where sending to a verified Paypal address and having tracking information comes in handy…  be sure you have it.

Being a marketer myself,  I am aware of the many tricks dishonest people employ to steal others’ hard earned money.  Be sure you do not fall victim.  One day you may think you have some extra cash only to discover you not only are out the merchandise you sold but have to pay for it as well by having a negative balance in your paypal account.  On a final note,  be very leary of checks… I am not saying never take one… but when you get it,  call the issuing bank to check on the account.  One of the first checks I received several years ago ended up being fraudulent.   Luckily I called the bank and sure enough the account was stolen.   Be careful out there,  it is a dog eat dog world online!

Tags: bad checks, crooks, entreprenuer, internet marketing, marketer

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