Pyramid Schemes

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Pyramid Scheme VS. MLM

By Ripoffs Scams, on December 3rd, 2009%

MLM or Network marketing refers to a simple business model where there is a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. The sales force is compensated not only on their own efforts but that of those whom they recruit into their business. They rely heavily on word of mouth and network marketing to gather clientele into their . . . → Read More: Pyramid Scheme VS. MLM

How to Recognize a Pyramid Scheme

By Ripoffs Scams, on December 2nd, 2009%

Ok, you have just come from a very important meeting that your best friend has been begging you to come to for the last week. You finally relent and now that you have heard the symphony, you now can not bring into focus what has been happening to you for the past 24 hours. So, your . . . → Read More: How to Recognize a Pyramid Scheme

What Are Reasons Those ‘pyramid’ Schemes Never Work?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 30th, 2009%

How Does Network Marketing Or Multi Level Marketting Differ From Pyramid Schemes?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 29th, 2009%

I refer to companies like GNLD . . . → Read More: How Does Network Marketing Or Multi Level Marketting Differ From Pyramid Schemes?

Internet Marketing Pyramid Scheme, Exposed!

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 28th, 2009%

Most people think all internet marketing based businesses are a network marketing pyramid scheme. However, entrepreneurs with the right frame of mind and a burning desire have been starting and maintaining multi-million dollar internet marketing based businesses for years.

Most entrepreneurs are attracted to network marketing based businesses due to over hyped or misleading marketing techniques. They end . . . → Read More: Internet Marketing Pyramid Scheme, Exposed!

Why Do So Many People Think Mlm/network Marketing/home Businesses Are Not Legit Or Pyramid Schemes? ?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 27th, 2009%

I just dont get it. It takes years to make a profit with anybusiness, and it takes large capital and alot of effort. But, with many mlm/home businesses, it only takes $97 to $500 to start and most of the business and website is setup for you. Why do so many uneducated idiots think they are . . . → Read More: Why Do So Many People Think Mlm/network Marketing/home Businesses Are Not Legit Or Pyramid Schemes? ?

Anyone With Experience In Pyramid Schemes?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 26th, 2009%

I recently received a letter to try and get me into a pyramid scheme. It sounds like I have very little to lose but I’m not sure. Has anyone done a pyramid scheme that worked? This claims it is legal because you are buying a product (the letter) with the dollar you send. . . . → Read More: Anyone With Experience In Pyramid Schemes?

What A Terrible Answer. He Has A College Degree, If You Really Had One You Wouldn’t Suggest Pyramid Schemes. ?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 26th, 2009%

And then you suggest AFFILIATE MARKETING?! Are you on drugs? Why would anyone who has a college degree invest time . . . → Read More: What A Terrible Answer. He Has A College Degree, If You Really Had One You Wouldn’t Suggest Pyramid Schemes. ?

How to Tell a Pyramid Scheme From a Legitimate Business

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 25th, 2009%

Are you worried about getting involved with a pyramid scheme when you really just want to be part of a legitimate business? How can you tell the difference? With so many business “opportunities” offered online today, it’s good to know something about them! There are some easy ways to tell if you’re looking at a legitimate . . . → Read More: How to Tell a Pyramid Scheme From a Legitimate Business

Is Pampered Chef Considered A Pyramid Scheme, I Have Heard Alot About These Pyramid Schemes That Are Bad?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 24th, 2009%

Were The Pharaohs Of Ancient Egypt Ever Brought To Justice For Their Pyramid Schemes?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 23rd, 2009%

How many investors lost their shirts because . . . → Read More: Were The Pharaohs Of Ancient Egypt Ever Brought To Justice For Their Pyramid Schemes?

What Are The Catches To Pyramid Schemes And Why Do Financialists Advise Against Them?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 22nd, 2009%

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 22nd, 2009%

Pyramid schemes seem to be the bane of multi level marketing (MLM). There is a terrible misconception about MLM that everyone who is not within the MLM circle refers to these opportunities as ‘pyramid schemes’. There were companies that used them; however the true root of the meaning is now lost in translation and every MLM . . . → Read More: Pyramid Schemes

How Is Viral Marketing Different From The “pyramid Schemes” Of The Past?

By Ripoffs Scams, on November 21st, 2009%

Top 10 Scams and Rip-Offs
1.Scams and Rip-Offs} Acai Supplements and Other “Free” Trial Offers – Ads offering trial offers for teeth whiteners, acai anti-aging pills and other miracle supplements blanket the Internet, including trusted Web sites of national news organizations. The marketing campaigns often falsely claimed an endorsement by Oprah, Rachel Ray and Doctor Oz. Thousands of consumers complained to BBB that the free trial actually cost them as much as hundreds of dollars, month after month.

2.Scams and Rip-Offs} Stimulus/Government Grant Scams – Even before President Obama announced the stimulus plan in February, scammers had already set up schemes for misleading consumers and small business owners into thinking they could get a piece of the pie. Offers for worthless assistance and advice on how to get government grants bombarded consumers online, over the phone and via mail and e-mail.

3.Scams and Rip-Offs} Robocalls – Owning a cell phone or having their phone number on the do-not-call list did not help thousands of people across the US put a stop to harassing automated telemarketing calls in 2009. The robocalls often claimed that their auto warranty was about to expire—which wasn’t true—or offered help in reducing their interest rate on their credit card. The prevalence of robocalls violating federal telemarketing laws prompted the FTC to increase restrictions on the practice in 2009.

4.Scams and Rip-Offs} Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam – The victim receives a letter in the mail pretending to be from Reader’s Digest, Publisher’s Clearing House or a phony foreign lottery claiming that he or she has won millions. The letter comes with a check that represents only a portion of the total winnings. In order to get the rest, the victim has to deposit the check and then wire hundreds of dollars back to the scammers supposedly to cover taxes or some other bogus fee. The victim wires the money, but the prize never arrives.

5.Scams and Rip-Offs} Job Hunter Scams –Scams targeting job hunters vary and include attempts to gain access to personal information such as bank account or social security numbers and requirements to pay a fee in order to even be considered for the job. Another common scam was reported to BBB by job hunters who were told by a prospective employer that they had to check their credit report before being considered for a job. The job offer is actually a marketing ploy for online credit monitoring that costs the victim every month until they cancel.

6.Scams and Rip-Offs} Google Work from Home Scam – Countless Web sites cropped up in 2009 that claimed you could learn how to make money from home using Google or Twitter and offered a free trial of learning materials. The Web sites often included the Google or Twitter moniker and logo. As a result, many people who complained to BBB thought they were getting a job with Google or Twitter when in, fact, they were being lured into another misleading free-trial offer and were billed every month for the materials and other mystery charges that added up to hundreds of dollars.

7.Scams and Rip-Offs} Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue/Debt Assistance – Many families are struggling in the current economy and hucksters are offering to help them save their house from foreclosure or help them get out of credit card debt. Unfortunately, victims are paying hundreds of dollars up front for the assistance they desperately need but ultimately never receive.

8.Scams and Rip-Offs} Mystery Shopping – Consumers across the country thought that they could make some extra money by becoming a secret shopper and evaluating the customer service of various stores. The victim is asked to evaluate their shopping experience at a few stores as well as a money wiring service such as Western Union or MoneyGram by wiring money back to the scammers. A seemingly real looking check is supposed to cover the costs, but ends up being a fake. The victim is out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

9.Scams and Rip-Offs} Over-Payment Scams – Over-payment scams typically target small business owners, landlords or individuals with rooms to rent and sellers on classifieds or sites like Craigslist. Typically the scammer pretends to be a customer, possible renter or interested buyer, respectively. The victim receives a check for more than the amount requested. The scammers then ask the victim to deposit the check and wire the extra amount elsewhere, such as to a shipping company. Ultimately though, the check is fake and the victim is really wiring money back to the scammers.

10.Scams and Rip-Offs} Phishing e-mails/H1N1 spam – A perennial problem, phishing e-mails pop up in inboxes and can take various forms such as appearing to be from a business, a government agency or official or even a friend. Whatever the setup, the goal of any phishing e-mail is the same: to trick victims into divulging sensitive financial information or to infect the victim’s computer with viruses and malware. In addition to phishing e-mails, spam e-mail selling wares to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus were particularly rampant in 2009.

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