Save money by checking out a site before shopping online.
The Internet offers vast choices for everything from shopping online to home employment opportunities. In recent years it has launched many new entrepreneurs into successful careers. In fact, many of the fastest-growing retail companies are operated online. Unfortunately, cyberspace is also a breeding ground for those with less than ethical business practices. Thousands of people have been swindled out of their hard-earned money through online gimmicks. For this reason, it is important to know check for an internet scam.
Instructions
1. Determine whether there are any red flags. Is the company asking for access to your bank account rather than using a trusted pay site such as PayPal? Are they making lavish promises that seem too good to be true? Have you been asked to pay a fee in order to work for them?
2. Go to the Better Business Bureau website. If you are unsure what state or province the company you are researching is operating out of, you will be given the option of selecting either the U.S. or Canada national site.
3. Click on "Check Out A Business Or Charity." Enter the name of the business you wish to learn about, or do an optional address search.
4. View the report thoroughly. Note the number of complaints the company in question has had lodged against it and how many of them were resolved. Also, pay close attention to the rating the BBB has given the company. Be aware that a company does not necessarily have to be a member of the organization for the BBB to rate its performance. A company can be rated based on issues such as how long it has been in business and how it has cooperated in responding to complaints.
5. Read the consumer reviews. These will give you feedback from other consumers who have had experience with the company. You might find varying opinions. Compare the amount of positive and negative when deciding how much credence to give to these reviews.
6. Make a request for the BBB to compile a report for you if there are no results for the company you searched. The details of a report are somewhat limited when the business isn't an accredited member of the BBB. Still, it can provide you with useful information such as how long the company has been in operation and how many complaints it has received.
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