How can I tell if a business opportunity I received through an e-mail is legitimate or a scam?

Question

I received an e-mail offering a business proposal and I wanted to know who I could check with to see if it was legal or a scam. Any help is appreciated!!

Answer 1

1) Start with thier website. Professional or not?
2) Google thier name and check to see if there are complaints.
3) Check with the Better Business Bureau
4) Visit thier "Brick and mortar" location. Make sure that they exist.
5) Speak to thier legal cousel/bank.
6) Check references - really check them, not just a phone call or email.
7) Remember - if it is too good to be true - it isn't true.

Answer 2

You could check through the Better Business Bureau (BBB.ORG), but generally, if it is unsolicited, meaning you didn't request information, and especially if it is unsolicited and from a foreign country, it is a scam.

The FBI's Internet Crime's website lists the following as common "business opportunity" scam

http://www.ic3.gov/crimeschemes.aspx#item-7

"Employment/business opportunity schemes have surfaced wherein bogus foreign-based companies are recruiting citizens in the United States on several employment-search websites for work-at-home employment opportunities. These positions often involve reselling or reshipping merchandise to destinations outside the United States.

Prospective employees are required to provide personal information, as well as copies of their identification, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, or social security card. Those employees that are "hired" by these companies are then told that their salary will be paid by check from a United States company reported to be a creditor of the employer. This is done under the pretense that the employer does not have any banking set up in the United States.

The amount of the check is significantly more than the employee is owed for salary and expenses, and the employee is instructed to deposit the check into their own account, and then wire the overpayment back to the employer's bank, usually located in Eastern Europe. The checks are later found to be fraudulent, often after the wire transfer has taken place.

In a similar scam, some web-based international companies are advertising for affiliate opportunities, offering individuals the chance to sell high-end electronic items, such as Plasma television sets and home theater systems, at significantly reduced prices.

The affiliates are instructed to offer the merchandise on well-known Internet auction sites. The affiliates will accept the payments, and pay the company, typically by means of wire transfer. The company is then supposed to drop-ship the merchandise directly to the buyer, thus eliminating the need for the affiliate to stock or warehouse merchandise. The merchandise never ships, which often prompts the buyers to take legal action against the affiliates, who in essence are victims themselves. "

Answer 3

You can look up the name of the company online. Enter the company name followed by the word "scam" and see what comes up. You will find forums of people discussing the business opportunity.

However, you really don't know if those people are the ones who just didn't give the opportunity a good go or if they tried it for awhile and quit.

Most business opportunities take a lot more work than they appear upfront and pay off in the looooong run.

Answer 4

Do you know the person who sent it? Do you know how they would have gotten your email? If not it is likely a scam, especially if they ask for money or information upfront.

Answer 5

generally speaking if it's some random person emailing you it is a scam however if it's somebody that knows you and you know them it's legitimate.

source http://scamsbeware.com best wishes

Answer 6

if you are looking for information about work at home jobs then visit the best work at home forum out there
http://www.work-at-home-forum.org there is alot of useful information there about work at home jobs and work at home oppertunities there is a lot of ideas out there of what you can do from home that is legitimate
i hope this is useful
good luck

Answer 7

Look for professionalism, research (google them), look for others talking about them, see if they have a call back number

Check out my blog!

http://aintnobull.blogspot.com/