Article by Charlie Wright

Hardened readers will remember that I got married last year.
 
Just before I jetted off to Colombia like a crazy fool, I sent out an email to help keep you protected while I was away.
 
It was a ‘going away’ present. You know, in case I ended up in the hands of FARC rebels. (I’m a pessimistic old sod!)
 
Fact is, I knew I wasn’t going to be around to answer emails while on holiday… and neither would I be able to send out my regular issues of the Biz Opp Jungle for a couple of weeks….
 
So I decided to make as many readers as possible self-sufficient.
 
How?
 
By creating a checklist to help your spot a scam before it was too late. Something that could stop you from sending your hard-earned money to Mr Git Mc Fraudster and his band of evil gnomes.
 
As I’m now in the strange situation where I could disappear at any time to watch the miracle of childbirth from behind a hipflask of whisky, I thought I’d repeat the favour.
 
(Even if, as I’m told, first babies are usually overdue, I’m being cautious. This little one seems like she’s trying to breaking out of Colditz with a sledgehammer.)
 
Anyway, here it is again…
 
A 10 point checklist to protect you
 
If you get some unsolicited mail through the post, or an offer from a trusted email source that you haven’t signed up to or heard from in the past, then:
 
STOP! LOOK! LISTEN!
 
Go through this checklist first…
 
1.         Is it signed off by a name? If not, treat it as suspicious. Every good operator will sign off the letter or sales page with an individual’s name.
 
2.         Have you heard of or come across the publisher before? If not, can you see any company details? There should be a registered address and a publisher’s name. Or a valid phone number you can ring and NOT get an answer phone message. If not, don’t send any money.
 
3.         Is the money promise unrealistic? Any promotion that offers things like “£100,000 this year’ or “£1 million opportunity” is lying.
 
4.         Are the prospects realistic? Most decent opportunities will make you between £100 a week and £25,000 a year, part time. Full time the figure could be as high as £80,000, but you’re not likely to go full time until you’ve made it work part time, right? So keep this in mind before you buy the Aston Martin in your mind.
 
Yes, ANY business can make you a millionaire – I know people who are well on the way, but it didn’t happen overnight.
 
5.         Does the sales pitch offer any specific details? By this I mean does it have figures, dates, theories, testimonials, evidence or interesting ideas? If it’s ONLY about how you could live like a millionaire, end your money worries, be your own boss – but nothing else, then tread carefully.
 
6.         Is there an UNCONDITIONAL money back guarantee? If not, no deal. It doesn’t matter how big the promise or how slick the pitch. If you’re unsure, phone the company or write to them to check the offer.
 
7.         Do you get enough time to trial it properly? If it’s daily betting service you need 10 to 14 days to check it out. If it’s a book or manual you need at least 28 days to read it and see if it’s for you. If it’s a trading opportunity, business opportunity programme or long-term part work, then I suggest that 2-3 months is a more realistic time to check it out fully.
 
8.         Can you get a pro-rata refund? For 12-month subscription products like newsletters and tipping services, most good companies will refund you even AFTER the trial period is over.
Not all your money, but some of it on a pro-rata basis.
 
9.         Is this from the United States or another foreign country? Fine if it’s a clickbank e-book for less than $100… a one-off book, download or manual…  but be careful if it’s a subscription or expensive long-term product, as they may not be able (or willing) to deal with overseas customer service and support.
 
Unless you’re being recommended this from a trusted source, be more wary than with a UK opp. You may find it harder to get refunds from, or make complaints to, overseas companies. Unless it’s a VERY well-known or established US company, I’d be careful with the pricier stuff.
 
10.        Is it saying you’ve won money? Then throw it away or delete it. They’re LYING to you.
 
And here’s a final bit of advice…

Steps to staying safe
 
If you want to keep your money safe, try these steps..
 
·         Go to the review section on the website and see if it’s reviewed or mentioned there. Either look at the review list on the left, or go to the “search” tool and enter in the name or the product, or the ‘guru’ or the publishing company. Try all three to make sure.
 
·         Still nothing? Then email me and ask if I can put it on my list of review topics. I can’t give you an immediate review of course, but I do use these requests as spring boards for my research. They’re what guide my investigations. And if I ever find something juicy, I put it into one of my newsletters, and onto the website.
 
Hope all this helps. Like I say, you can find details of everything I’ve ever reviewed, scam-busted or written about on my website.