What a Scam Artist Knows...

I've heard that business is booming for scam artists and con men as the recession has many looking to make a quick score. In many cases these are sales pitches designed to separate you from your money as quickly as possible. If you're ever approached with an offer that sounds too good to be true, see if it fits this pattern:

• Does it require you to act very quickly?  It's an offer that could vanish in a short amount of time.
• Does it involve some sort of new or secret knowledge that could change the world?  And yet it has received no media coverage.
• Are the people who sing the praises of the deal somewhat unknown or anonymous?  But they sounds like folks just like you and me.

Clearly these scam artists have tapped into the human psyche. We are attracted to the idea of a special deal that can change our lives. We can imagine ourselves acting decisively to improve our future.  And maybe we can even see ourselves sharing our secret with others who we decide should enjoy the fruits of our good fortune.

While we associate these underhanded methods with unsavory characters, they are often used to a lesser degree by some very successful sales professionals.  The key is making sure the product or service that you are hawking is reputable. When it comes to an irresistible offer, what's the difference between an honest or dishonest one?  The ability to sell it to your mother and expect to still be invited to Sunday dinner.