1. Know who you’re dealing with
Try to find an artisan physical address (not a P.O. Box) and phone number. With internet phone services and other web-based technologies, it’s tough to tell where someone is calling from. Do an online search for the company name and website, and look for reviews. If people report negative experiences, you’ll have to decide if the offer is worth the risk. After all, a deal is good only if you get a product that actually works as promised.
2. Don’t send money to someone you don’t know
Not to an online artisans/craftsman you’ve never heard of — or an online love interest who asks for money. It’s best to do business with artisans you know and trust or the ones with good reviews. If you buy items through an online auction, consider using a payment option that provides protection, like a credit card or pay on delivery.
*Generally, Don’t pay for any service until it is being rendered.*
3. Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information.
4. Utilize Common Sense
Engage the artisans or the requester in a psychological way and inquire about them. If time has taught me one thing, it’s that common sense is not very common. While some of these suggestions might be a bit obvious, they’re worth repeating.
Do not, under any circumstances, let your emotions dictate the service or price. This is not to say that you shouldn’t pick an artisan you like and feel comfortable with, but that you shouldn’t lower a price because of somebody’s financial situation or change the terms of the service out of pity. Do not rush into hiring because you’re in arush. Be patient. If anything is going to get you into trouble, it’s going to be impatience.
Generally, though, the other party is going to be equally as paranoid as you are. It’s a little bit scary meeting a stranger off the internet for the purpose of rendering a service. In all likelihood you’ll both have concerns, so just be a nice person while taking the necessary precautions and you should be just fine.
7. Don’t render service between 6pm-8am.
Remember there’s no sure thing in investing.
If someone contacts you with low-risk, high-return investment opportunities, stay away. When you hear pitches that insist you act now, that guarantee big profits, that promise little or no financial risk, or that demand that you send cash immediately, report them at Us
Report Scams
If you think you may have been scammed:
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. or click Complaints
If you get unsolicited email offers or spam, send the messages to info@needmyservice.com
Nice one.