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A question (how to find out if a w..) & a short-term goo

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 10:29 am
by matt1019
Hi guys,

it's been about over a week since I last posted.... with a good reason too: My fall semester started so now I am busy with school stuff. Nothing exciting except Java. All other classes could be... well, better to say the least.

Ok, the question:

How to find out if a website is "legit" or not?

I ask this because there was an "Ad" in my University's Newspaper in the classifieds section about making a lot of money just for typing ads on the internet.

This is what the Ad said (verbatim):
Earn $2500+ monthly and more to type simple ads online. http://www.blablabla.com
I omitied the web-address (the above address is not correct.) incase someone thought that I was actually advertising :roll:


the 2500+ part seems too good to be true. Plus, why would a company give out their assignments to others, leaving their own employees?

Another thing to note, the website charges 19.95 membership fee to join. and has this in their "FAQs":
10. Why is there a membership fee for this service?

We charge a small one-time $19.95 Membership Fee for the service we provide. This fee pays for members support, membership setup, website development, maintenance, and for updating of all assignments posted inside the Members Area.

11. How long will my membership remain valid?

Membership is a one-time $19.95 fee.

12. Do we offer a money back guarantee?

Yes. Members may request a refund. We want your complete satisfaction!
any guidance on this would be appreciated... as I do not want to fall victim to identity theft.



Now for the other part of the post:

I would like to say good-bye, for a short term (4-months). As my fall semester has started now and can barely find time to do the things that I have grown to love... such as dev'ing, and watching baseball. It's sad that for 4 whole frekin' months, my favorite activites would be stopped ;(

I would, however, come here periodically. Although no contribution :(

I would like to thank all of you who have helped me learn the best language on the net (PHP) :)


Best regards,

-Matt

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:05 pm
by sweatje
try googling for the url + fraud or url + scam and see what comes up.

Remember TANSTAAFL! (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!)

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:47 pm
by Jenk
common sense is what works best.

For example.. charging applicants, for a well paid but incredibly skill-less job.. scam.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:17 am
by matthijs
My guess is that it's a scam. If it sound to good to be true, it mostly is..
The member fee especially should ring an alarm. Why would they have to charge you 20 if they make so much money and can pay you 2500+?

Thinking about it: "typing simple ads online". Couldn't that be a spamming business?

I think the "easy" money period has passed. To make money online nowadays it's either hard work or you'd have to be very very lucky and find that one brilliant idea no one else already had. Or do some illegal stuff.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:12 am
by feyd
Yeah, I'll agree it sounds fishy. It may even be suggested to take it far enough that you call/check the better business bureau about them.

[edit]wow, I stunk at grammar on this one.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:57 am
by CoderGoblin
If you find out it is a "scam" you may also want to contact your University paper and report the ad.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:26 am
by Mordred
Check whois and ipwhois. See what else is hosted on the same machine, or on adjacent machines in the same network (this way you get a feeling on the hosting environment - is this a company, a sold hosting, a home machine etc)

Try tools like this one:
http://www.serversniff.net/content.php?do=subdomains

Try listing their dns records (nslookup magic)

Make a list of all email addresses and persons you've met in your research (including the web page content) and see what's on the net about them.

Remember: "Google alone and you'll never be done!" :) Try yahoo, msn, teoma (esp. msn with {frsh=100})