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myspace profile.

Often, spammers will not have time to make a complete profile. Read carefully. People will have detailed information and unique human traits. Friends will post stupid comments to real people like "Had a great time with you last week, BFF!"

Also, beware people with too few friends; either they're a spammer/scammer, or they are internet recluses.

Ultimately, scams undermine the social nature of the internet; we are supposed to be MORE free, and LESS prone to personal risks, when in fact the opposite is true: security is a hassle, trusting people is decreased, and every other webpage is a danger to existence.

There are a few good companies out there, and passing up the opportunities provided make the internet less usuable. Case in point, helium.com is a great way to earn money by writing.

There are a few free ways to research a company online to see if a company is a scam. A few bad signs:

1. You have to pay money up front.

The business should be paying you, not the other way around. Any time you have to pay up front, take caution.

2. The business does not have a listing with the secretary of state.

Any reputable business must register with the Secretary of State as a corporation. If the business does not have a listing, ask to see that listing.

3. The business does not have a F.E.I.N. number.

An F.E.I.N. number is a public record of a business. It's like a business's social security number; it's unique and tied to the owners of that business.

4. The business is not a member of the Better Business Bureau

Keep in mind that any business can REGISTER with the BBB, but to be a MEMBER, businesses must be in existence for several years and pay dues. Viewing a basic report on the Better Business Bureau is FREE.

Another thing to look out for on the BBB is the number of complaints. People complain about businesses all the time. One or two complaints over three years IS A GOOD SIGN, that means that the company has enough business that they actually get disgruntled customers.

5. The business is not listed with Dun and Bradstreet

Dun and Bradstreet is similar to the Better Business Bureau, however it relates more to business revenue and income than customer relations. Viewing a basic listing on Dunandbradstreet.com is FREE.

6. The business does not have a physical address.

Sometimes, businesses have multiple owners, or are owned by other companies. Any reputable business will have a current mailing address, including internet job listings on monster.com or craigslist.org.

Hopefully, these simple tests will help prevent you from becoming a victim, and also increase your safety and use of the internet; giving up freedoms because of fear or loss is worse than the loss itself.

Learn more about this author, Aster C. Lilly.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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