Scared of scams? If you’re searching for a brilliant business opportunity, chances are your email "in" box is filled daily with teasers like "MAKE CA$H NOW!!" and "MAKE MILLION$ FROM HOME!" Business opportunities don’t just end at your computer screen. Friends and family may also be promoting the "perfect" opportunity for you - if you pay $150 (or more) for an introductory sales kit.

Whether you’re planning to spend $5 or $5,000 on a business opportunity, you need to ask clear, concise and detailed questions. Although not all business opportunities are scams, it’s best to believe that they are ‘guilty until proven innocent.’ The Internet is chock-full of anti-scam information and handy hyperlinks that will help you separate lucrative and legitimate opportunities from seedy scams. Have a business opportunity you want to check out? Get your scam-sleuth resources ready and go to work!

Mission #1 - Interview the Suspect. Your first step as an anti-scam sleuth is simply calling the company. Do not rely on a sales representative or distributor, even if they are a friend, as a reliable source. Although these people *may* have your best interests at heart, it’s best to hear everything directly from the company. When you call, some important questions to ask are:

1. How long has your company been in business? What is the company history?

2. How and when do I get paid? Am I paid on salary? Commission?

3. What ‘up-front’ fees must I pay? What other fees are there?

4. What qualifications are needed to successfully run this business?

5. What is the company address? Phone number?

6. Does the company offer a money-back guarantee?

7. What are average earnings for full and part-time workers?

You deserve specific and satisfying answers - and you deserve these answers in writing. Most scammers avoid, talk around, or downright ignore specific questions- so if you hear vague and unsatisfying responses, run fast. Request copies of all company literature and if a company representative makes a claim that is not included in the literature - get it in writing.

Also, make sure you ask for references from other people involved in this opportunity. If the company won’t give references, or states that their client list is ‘confidential’ or ‘proprietary,’ it could mean that you’re being set up. Remember - this is YOUR money - protect it!

Mission #2 - Just the Facts, Ma’am. So, you’ve just gotten off the phone with the company, you’ve read the literature, and you’re feeling pretty confident. Don’t stop now! It’s time to verify that information and ensure your information is recent, accurate and comprehensive. To confirm your source, call the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau in the company’s home state. These two regulatory agencies will be able to tell you if there have been any complaints and how the company has handled complaints in the past. No complaints won’t mean that the company has the shining seal of approval, but it does favorably support your opportunity.

Mission #3 Interview the Witnesses. Still feeling confident? There is one final crucial assignment - check out the anti-scam and home-business message boards and listserves. You can find these boards on American Online (AOL’s subscription service) (www.aol.com), Home Office Computing (www.hoc.com) or by searching Deja News (www.dejanews.com) for scam listserves. Post your question about your company and check out your response. Chances are, you’ll get some fantastic feedback - sometimes by ‘ex-reps’ that can inform you of any pitfalls, problems - and profits!

Did your business opportunity pass with flying colors? Or are you still searching? Careful research of any opportunity will save you time and money. Although vigilantly investigating a business opportunity takes some initial research time, the end result will be a viable, legal and potential profit- making venture. So enjoy your fact-finding mission. And always remember the first rule of scamming - ‘If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is.’ Book em’ Dano.

HELPFUL LINKS

These links are chock-full of helpful anti-scam information.

Better Business Bureau Online (www.bbb.org) A fantastic source including reports, scam alerts and an online complaint form.

Make Money Fast Hall of Humiliation (ga.to/mmf) If you need some silly scam humor, this site is for you!

Direct Sales Association (www.dsa.org). Provides information on ethical sales practices and includes a fantastic article outlining how you can tell the difference between a legitimate business and a pyramid scheme.

Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) THE scam page. Fantastic information on specific scams

United States Postal Inspection Service (www.usps.gov) Great work-at-home scam information.

Scam Watch - Home Business Scam Updates (www.feedamerica.org/crimewatch/homebusiness.htm) This site lists some of the current internet scams and offers three consumer protection publications.

The ‘Lectric Law Library (www.lectlaw.com). Great anti-scam and consumer protection information - and an extremely informative legal Web site!

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Heather Martin is a writer and owner of SuccessWorks, a company specializing in online home business/personal development workshops and coaching. She can be reached at SuccessWks@aol.com.