Beware Fake idependent Affiliate sites
Hello Friends, i almost fell for a fake phishing affiliate site, i just finished my first website last week, so my next step was looking for an affiliate program, i signed up for shareasale they approved my website, contacted the merchant but they were taking so much of my time even up till now am still waiting for approval. yesterday i finally decided to seek out an independent affiliate using the normal (niche+affiliate program) with Google.
i clicked on the very first link on the result page, opened the website and the commission was actually higher than most merchants in shareasale, i decided to sign up and the process was unbelievably fast, the following day they sent me a mail that my site has been approved for the program and i should click the link to receive my affiliate link,
I clicked it and was led to my word press login platform, at first i thought that the merchant needed to give me the link through my website if i login as Admin, luckily i didn't know my word-press password off-hand cause they are randomly generated here at WA, so i clicked WA and realized that i was infact already logged in to my website, but if am logged in why is my merchant link still asking for my word press password then i realized that it was a fake phishing site loaded with spyware that would record my word press password and hijack my site.
I just want to warn my fellow friends at WA to be careful when dealing with independent affiliates don't give your passwords online, your merchant has no reason what so ever to request for your password through e-mail or any other means, i believe affiliate networks are safer at least for a first timer like me, although i will still keep searching vigilantly for a secure independent affiliate while i wait for my merchant at shareasale.
Peace, keep your eyes peeled friends, wish you all success.
Mike.
Recent Comments
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Thankfully this has not happened to me as of yet fingers crossed it does not happen or to any of you guys too!
It's been awhile since this thread, but I would like to ask if this has been a problem lately? Has anyone else experience a similar situation?
Hey Don,
Personally, I have never come across one, but then I'm really fussy as to who I am an affiliate of, so that may be why. Hope this answers your question.
That makes sense, when I first learned of this I was exstatic and wanted to be an affiliate for everyone haha, but the more I learn I've come to understand to take one step at a time. Thanks for your input.
I swear these scams are everywhere you look. They are getting clever by the second and as much as I hate to say it, if you didn't catch on you would have been another victim. Way to stay alert. Expose them you should on your website so others will know.
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Abmakko, I haven't personally experienced this problem...at least not yet. I have known a couple that had this experience though, and like you they simply stopped immediately dealing with them and connected with another merchant and got their affiliate link without hesitation.