Life cycle of a data entry scam

Data entry scams take advantage of thousands of victims every day. Unbeknownst to many, these schemes pray on the desire for quick wealth and an easy, carefree lifestyle, while once enrolled, cost the user both time and money. Data entry scams begin with a quick advertisement designed to catch your attention. They often include urgent language, such as “Earn $15,000 This Month!” or “Start Making a Fortune Today!” Most of the time,

the advertisement text will be heavily capitalized with a liberal use of exclamation points.
Once you’ve been hooked, the scam goes on to tell you that hundreds of companies are desperate for data entry specialists, and that you can start immediately. In fact, due to the advent of computers and automated systems, data entry is a relatively simple operation with a very low demand. The next step in the scam involves an initiation fee, for the purchase of “training materials.”
Here’s where the scheme gets interesting. Once you’ve received your “training kit,” you’ll be surprised to find it full of instructions to advertise the same data entry position to other unsuspecting people! If you attempt to contact the company at this point, you’ll be told that for every person you sign up, you receive half of the initiation fee, and then send the other half to the person above you.
At this point, the scam has come full circle. What was originally an opportunity for wealth has been revealed to be nothing more than a cheap pyramid scheme. In order to prevent other victims from being taken advantage of, it is of the utmost importance that you fight back. Most likely, the company will lack any real contact info, so reporting the company to the BBB is your best bet. In addition, get the word out to family and friends so they don’t fall in.