Internet Spam Scams: How They Work, and How to Avoid Them

Have you ever been surfing the net and come across a website that offers something for free? All you have to do is enter your email address and they’ll send you a download of their free eBook, software, or special report, plus three special bonuses! These sites are what I like to call internet spam scams, and this is how they work and how to avoid becoming their next victim.

The first site you come across is called a squeeze page. It is called a squeeze page because it is designed to grab your attention. On this page, they will typically offer you something for free to entice you to enter your email address. Once you enter your email address, it goes directly to their auto responder, which will automatically send you an email asking you to verify your subscription before you can receive your free gift. Once you verify your subscription, you will be sent another automatic email that will direct you to their free download.

Why offer something for free? What’s in it for them? They have your email address on their list, and since you signed up of your own volition, they will send you thousands of spam emails with the hope that you will eventually buy something from them. The products they offer can be anything from an eBook that they have written (or stolen from somebody else), some software to help you learn how to make the big bucks, just like them, or some other questionable affiliate product they have decided to promote.

Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim of one of these spam scams. Before you decide to enter your email address on any website, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does it seem too good to be true? If it does, chances are it is!
• What’s in it for them?
• Is the information they are offering available elsewhere on the web? It usually is!
• What are they REALLY selling?

If you want to avoid getting any more spam, and most people do, think twice before you enter your email address on any website. Sure they may be offering you something that seems too good to pass up, but at what price?