I've been writing about the vile creatures who prey on the jobless since the inception of this blog a couple of years ago. It's no big surprise to me that these types of scams are on the rise. Predators prey on the weak, and desperate times loosen morals where getting money is concerned. (I wonder how many of the scammers are, themselves, just trying to feed a family while unemployed.)

Anyway, I urge you to read this article. It could help you to protect yourself. Be vigilant and protect yourself. Even a touch of paranoia may be called for from time to time in times like these.

Speaking of which, don't even believe every link out from this site. I've tried to weed out the obvious scams but have found links changed by users and commenters who first posted a legitimate link, then changed it, thinking I wouldn't notice. (I guess I might have to take away the ability to edit posts, loath as I am to do it.) I also have little control over the ads that Google serves up so I can't really vouch for them. Buyer beware, I guess.

That said, I do believe that any link I, myself, have posted has been vetted -- I'm not steering you toward any scams unless I've been tricked myself. But don't take my word for it. Don't take anybody's word for anything. Trust nobody until they put the money in your hand, and even then make sure to keep it all straight business. Never put money in anyone's hand or give them any information until they have given you something tangible in return; don't buy empty promises.

Paradoxically enough, this is the basis of the part of the Making a Dollar series of videos where I talk about giving. If you are going to take someone's money, give them a little something first to build trust that you can deliver what they want or need. When you eventually do business with them, deliver something that they want or need. This is how you make money honestly. Yes, it can be done.

Earning your scratch won't prevent you from being scammed, though. So make sure you control the terms of what is given, i.e., don't give them information or money just because they made some kind of promise.

And don't make those promises. Give them something else, something more than a promise, something they want or need.