3 SIGNS of high-ticket SCAMS. How to SPOT and AVOID.
During my 6 months of WA membership, I have read a number of sorry stories about scams which cost some WA members dearly. Most of scams were related to so-called high-ticket affiliate marketing schemes, which can be defined as tickets exceeding $1000. What surprised me is the frequency of such scams and the number of affected victims. I wanted to understand why people are attacted to such scams, and how to spot and avoid them. After some background checks and research, I noticed the following 3 SIGNS which should be considered as the red flags.
I will list the signs (red flags) below, and will provide some tips how to spot them. Please note that I do not idenitfy or single out any specific scheme. These are general observations only.
Sign Nr 1. - SECRET SYSTEM
A lot of high ticket scams claim to give you access to some sort of secret. It is usually presented as a SECRET METHOD, or a SECRET SYSTEM, that made somebody very rich. For some reason, you can gain access to this secret, but obviously as it is very exclusive, you have to pay to get access to it.
When you think about it, if the secret is so good, why would anybody want to part with it? Why not keep it to yourself and continue making the best use of it?
Well, clearly the secret is just a bait. The reality tends to be much more mundane - there is no system behind. The only system is to make you part with your money and to make the bad actors better off at your expense.
HOW TO SPOT: Watch out for the words SECRET and anything that would make you feel wondering why someone is ready to part with this secret at all.
HOW TO AVOID: Read reviews on BBB, watch YouTube movies.Try to see if the people behind the scheme have been featured (positively) in any press.
SIGN Nr 2. - GUARANTEED RETURNS
Whenever you see a scheme that promises you high returns, especially guaranteed returns, this should be a warning sign.
Let's assume that the alleged scheme works and is produces a certain level of performance. However, many things could have changed in the meantime. There could have been a change to search engine algorythms, or perhaps a change to the affiliate payout structure (as it happened with Amazon Associates earlier this year). Such changes can have dramatic impact on earnings and returns. On top of that, I can assure you that THERE WILL BE CHANGES going forward. They are bound to severely challenge the profitability of any ongoing scheme.
Moreover, most such schemes allege that you don't need to put any effort on your part. They hide behind the passive income mystery. The argument goes along the following lines: this is a passive income strategy. You don't need to do anything, the scheme produces results by itself.
Well, as anyone who has done affiliate marketing will tell you, money does not grow on trees! There is no return to be earned without persistent effort and commitment. STAY AWAY!!!
HOW TO SPOT: Anything that promises you high returns for little or no work.
HOW TO AVOID: Stick to honest schemes.
SIGN Nr 3. - PAY TO ACCESS
The last and biggest flag is the entry requirement to access the scheme. If all that is required on your part is to PAY, usually a significant amount, or make a series of payments that add up to $$$$, then this is likely to be a SCAM.
When you think about it, any reputable company would desire that its affiliate partners have some knowledge and skills to deliver its products and services. This is particularly important for any High Ticket scheme where a lot is at stake. If you can buy your way it, this means that you are no longer a seller, you are a BUYER.
HOW TO SPOT: No skills and prior experience required. All you need to do is make a payment.
HOW TO AVOID: Stick to schemes which use stringent prequalification for high-ticket partners.
I hope you found my post useful. Have you been affected by a scam? Any lessons and tips to add? I would love to hear your views and comments!
🌟
Nellya
Recent Comments
76
Very useful Nellya, it is a prevailing ill wind permanently on chill for the unwary and your guidance is most useful in that regard although care requires to be taken in interpretation as that last one is pretty close and can certainly be construed to be a pretty good decription of one classed as home!! ; lols
Happy Sunday!
R.
Hi Rami,
If you need to pay to access an affiliate scheme, then this is a warning sign for me. Any honest scheme would either give you free access option (even if this means a reduced commission level), or would require a pre-qualification. Please also note that I refer to high-ticket schemes. Anything that charges / pays $1k and more...
Enjoy your Sunday!
🌟
Nellya
Great Nellya, this is a very useful post for all of us because to be victim is not good for you will lost money and your efforts. i have never been a victim but always almost. They will convince you for something easy way to earn as long as you will connect to them. Thanks for sharing this to us, and have a nice day...
Hi Francisco,
Thanks for leaving your personal reflections! If my post helps even one person, it was worth writing it!
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Nellya
I would say I have been scammed, but not from any high-ticket products/program, but from the money-back guarantee promise.
Loads of products offer these 30 or 60-day money-back guarantee, but when I was trying to claim my right, I was called a "serial-scammer" or similar. That is, what I learned, a person that buys non-physical products or online products, and then ask for money back (and keeping the product since it is electronically delivered).
If I was not one of them, I was told to blame them before me who had done this. WTF!?
My interpretation of these 30-day guarantees is there for bait and never to be "used".
I now only go for buy before you try products unless I am willing to lose the money I spend.
Hi Veronica,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience. Your point is related to Sign #2 - promised/ guaranteed return. Most of the time, a scammer has a way out. For example, they put the blame on you, or find another reason. So, yes, treat any guarantee with a lot of caution in mind.
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Nellya
Hi John,
Thanks for your positive feedback. Indeed, I would like to raise awareness about scams. At the end of the day, scammers are also casting a shadow on honest affiliate marketers.
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Nellya
See more comments
Hi Nellya,
Great post! You have exposed some really good tips to help everyone to avoid scams.
.
If I may add, some of these get rich quick programs also use a time tactic as well, such as "offer expires in 24hrs" or "today only, after that it is gone for good!" I think that triggers a red flag as well.
Other products are crafted to deliver a series of training once a week, for 8 weeks, then give you a return guarantee for 30 days.
You then have no possible way to see the entire program they are offering! And they never told you it will be delivered in a weekly series! Then, you are tempted to stay to see if it really works or not and your refund period expires!
Scammers are creative, and even experienced marketers can be tricked nowadays!
The one thing WA does that I think is totally honest, is allowing you to look over the whole program from day one.
Chas :-)
Hi Chas,
Thank you for your excellent comment. Indeed, by instilling a sense of urgency and scarcity, scammers are prompting an action. Very often it is used by spammers as well. I should definitely add this point to my list!
🌟
Nellya