Financial Tips
Life and Credit : Don't Fall for "Get Rich Quick" Schemes
Anyone experiencing debt management issues is tempted to solve the problem quickly by finding a boatload of cash all at once. Common sense tells us this doesn't happen, but there are plenty of lures out there from unscrupulous operators willing to make themselves rich, not you. The seasoned debt relief experts at Credit Counselors advise steering clear of such traps.
Work at home ads. If there were a way to get rich by "stuffing envelopes," everyone would be doing it. Frequently such "businesses" want you to pay a fee up front and then enlist others to do the same thing.
Internet come-ons. The scam has been exposed many times, but you'll still get emails from foreigners promising you a portion of huge riches if you'll just allow them to use your bank account to forward the money. People have lost their entire life's savings this way. Don’t become one of them.
Pyramid schemes. You may hear from a friend or neighbor about this amazing investment "bank" or "club" that doubled or tripled her money. Such pyramid schemes draw in as many as they can, using the new members' money to enrich the original members. They always collapse or just fade away, leaving most of their members worse off, not better.
The lottery. It's fun to dream about riches, all for a $1 ticket. And hey, some people do get rich, don't they? There's no real harm in buying a ticket occasionally, but it becomes dangerous when you start handing over a substantial part of your paycheck to the convenience store clerk. It will do you more good buying food or paying a bill.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are many ways to check out such claims, through the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), your state attorney general's office, or any consumer protection agency. A little research on the Internet often will expose scams for what they are.
When you're tempted by such offers, call the experts in debt counseling at Credit Counselors. They can help guide you toward your financial goals without resorting to get-rich-quick schemes.
