MSNBC posted an article last week regarding the “new” home business scams using Twitter and Google (read the article here). These scams are not new, they are just extensions of the same scams we’ve been seeing for years. What is unbelievable is that they are still effective! It’s just hard to understand how people can believe that they can make thousands of dollars per month “…filling out forms and doing searches…” – basically doing nothing. Apparently these tactics are quite effective, especially for the desperate among us. Part of the hook, of course, is that these companies charge only a few dollars for the informational packet on how to get rich without working, but then charge your card monthly dues between $50 and $100…details that are not apparent in the initial order. Of course, technically these fees are disclosed, buried in the abnormally long and teency-printed Terms and Conditions page…but who reads that anyway? And, you can request a refund, but good luck getting your cash back.

The Better Business Bureau is trying to stay on top of these scammer – they mark them with “F” ratings – and the Federal Courts are closing down the worst offenders when they can. But still, thousands of Americans are offering up their bank card numbers and losing cash every day. Desperation is no excuse for stupidity…what good thing in life does anyone get without working for it? Twitter, Google, Facebook…these are all excellent tools for marketing a real business, but there is no way to make real money without having a valuable product to sell.

Want to get rich? Get ready to work. Don’t waste your hard earned cash on these ridiculous claims of easy money. Instead, put your money where it counts. Buy the tools that will actually help you plan and build a legitimate business that will give you the life you want. Entrepreneurship is the best and only way to build dramatic personal wealth, but it will be earned by your hard work and time invested.