The twelve scams most likely to arrive via bulk email in consumers' email boxes:

1. Business opportunities scams:

   These offers make it sound like it is very easy to start a business that will earn piles of money without much work, selling or cash. Many of these "opportunities" are actually illegal pyramid schemes that are masquerading as legitimate opportunities to earn money.

2. Make money by sending bulk email:

   These solicitations offer to sell you bulk email lists (consisting of millions of email addresses), spam software (usually very poor in quality), or services to send spam on your behalf. Don't do this.

3. Chain letters.

   No list of scams would be complete without this old "favorite" - email style. Here you're asked to send a small amount of money (or some item) to each of four or five names at the top of the list, and then forward the message including your name at the bottom, via bulk email. Many of these letters claim they are legal chain letters loses money. Even if there is a "product" such as a report on how to make money, it does not make these schemes they are not. Further, nearly everyone who participates in these legal.

4. Work-at-home-schemes.

   The most common work-at-home scam promises that you'll earn money for stuffing envelopes. For example, you're promised you'll earn $2.00 for every envelope you stuff. In fact, there never is any real envelope stuffing employment available. Instead, you pay to register and then you're instructed to send the same envelope-stuffing ad via bulk email to others. The only money you can earn would come from others who fall for the scam and pay to register. Finally, if you did actually do work for one of these outfits (for example, some promise to pay you for craft work), they'd refuse to pay you and say your work didn't measure up to their "quality standards."

5. Health and diet scams.

   These are similar to the miracle cures offered off-line: ways to lose weight without eating less or exercising, "scientific breakthroughs," "secret formulas" which provide cures for hair loss, and herbal formulas that liquify fat cells so that they are absorbed by your body. These scams often include testimonials from "famous" medical experts you haven't heard of. Of course, these gimmicks don't work.

6. Effortless income.

   The newest version offers get-rich-quick schemes to make unlimited profits exchanging money on the world currency markets. There are lots of variants, but they all promise vast riches with no work. Beware of these scams.

7. Free goods.

   These offers promise expensive items such as computers... for free. They ask you to pay a fee to join, and then you have to bring in a certain number of other members. Many of these scams are just disguised pyramid schemes.

8. Investment opportunities.

   These scams promise outrageously high returns... and of course, there is "no risk." Many of these scams are illegal schemes, in which early investors are paid with the money from later investors. This gives the early investors the illusion that the system works and they are then encouraged to invest more money (which they eventually lose). The sales pitches for these offers include claims of high-level financial connections, that the promoters are privy to inside information, or promises that they'll guarantee the investment. The promoters are long gone if you try to take advantage of their "guarantees."

9. Cable descrambler kits.

   These scams offer kits or information on how to receive cable transmissions without paying any subscription fees. There are two problems with these offers: 1) the kits and information don't work; and 2) even if they did work, it is illegal to steal service from cable television companies. Further, many cable companies have aggressively been prosecuting cable service theft.

10. Guaranteed loans or credit, or easy terms scams.

    There are lots of variants of this scam: home equity loans that don't require any equity in your home, loans regardless of your credit history, offshore bank loans, credit cards regardless of your credit history, etc. Sometimes these offers are combined with pyramid schemes that offer to pay you for attracting other participants to the scheme. However, they are scams - the loans don't come through, you are turned down unless you meet stringent requirements, or the credit cards simply don't arrive.

11. Credit repair scams.

    These scams promise to erase accurate negative information from your credit file so that you can now qualify for loans, mortgages, or credit cards. The promoters of these scams cannot deliver. Further, if you follow their advice and lie on a loan or credit application, misrepresent your Social Security number, or get an Employer Identification number from the Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses, you will be committing fraud and violating federal laws. Don't fall for this scam.

12. Vacation prize promotions.

    Last, but not least, is a scam in which you receive electronic verification congratulating you because you've "won" a fabulous vacation, or you've been "specially selected" for this opportunity. The "deluxe cruise ship" may well be more like a tugboat, upgrades can be very expensive, and hotel accommodations are likely to be very shabby.

How To Avoid Scams

1. Always use common sense.

   If you have a gut feeling that something isn't legitimate, you're probably right and just avoid it.

2. Make sure the company has a phone number and physical address.

   Call the company back. Check with Information to see if the phone number actually belongs to that company.

3. Always ask for references and check them carefully.

   A reputable company will be pleased to send you additional information and give you as many references from satisfied customers as you want.

4. Do ask on-line promoters where their company is incorporated.

   If you're suspicious, call the state's secretary of state and ask if the company is incorporated with them and if it has a current annual report on file.

5. Check with ISPs to see if the company has a received a series of complaints.

6. Always make sure that you get a strong guarantee.

   Ask the company what will happen if you want to return the product or service. You might even ask for references of people who have returned the product and received refunds.

7. Avoid falling for high pressure sales tactics.

   Scamsters always want your money right now. They don't want to give you time to think about your decision. If you are pressured to decide right now, decide "no."

8. Pay by credit card.

   That gives you recourse if you have a problem. If you pay by credit card and have a problem, you can call your bank and do a "charge back." What that means is that you have the credit card company "charge back" your purchase to the vendor and give you a credit. But do be careful giving out your credit card number (especially by email).

9. Don't respond to bulk emails.

   Be skeptical of offers that use LOTS OF CAPITAL LETTERS and punctuation!!! Emails that shout at you are often bogus, such as "Discover how you can make BIG $$$$$ MONEY in NO TIME AT ALL!!!!!

10. Always print a hard copy of any on-line offer that you're considering.

    Make sure you keep the email address, Internet address (URL), and any other information, as well as the date and time that you saw the offer. Save this information in case you need it later.

11. Beware of promoters who try to sell things using an anonymous email address such asnon12345@anon.company.com, user@domain.com or a post office box.

12. Don't participate in a pyramid scheme.

    If you are asked to send money to ten people, who each send money to ten other people, who then each send money to ten more people, etc., this is an illegal pyramid scheme. Don't do it.

13. If you're told that you have won a prize, be skeptical.

    If you are told you have won a prize and have to pay money, always refuse the prize.