Who's Who May Not Be What's What

BEWARE of this, as it may happen to you when you start to work from home.

When you start an Internet business, you usually register as a small business or get a business license. This puts your name on a public list which can make you a target for a whole new set of services you probably don't need. Some are probably scams.

Your Business Listing is Public

It becomes obvious to you that your phone is listed publicly when you have various business services calling you on the phone. I decided on a listing service that was free for 90 days. The phone call was made by a well-versed salesman who told me that my business would get free traffic and more exposure in this new online directory.

While you may decide to get a listing in directories for the viral marketing exposure, it will probably only be free for a limited time. You can decide to cancel it if it is not ultimately worth the cost, even though it might take some effort.

What "Who's Who" Is NOT an Honor?

When you get the phone call that says, "You have been selected for xxx Who's Who of Professionals in America", you might be so flattered that you accept. Surprise!

There is only ONE "real" Who's Who that is credible. Well, I guess there are several, but they are by discipline. The rest are only listing services.

Ok, maybe they give you "free" airplane tickets, a Certificate, and a bound book with your name in it, but it is still just a listing service. Some of these services are expensive and you should make your own decision wisely before telling them your credit card number.

I didn't. They used that same feel-good hard-sell limited opportunity tactic on me too. I read a blog story similar to my own experience, called "Scams to Make You Feel Cool". I found the Shawn Olsen post from 2005 and realized I had been scammed again.

I called them back the same day and told them I wanted to cancel and they said it was TOO LATE.

Instead they agreed to return about half my money - to forfeit the plane tickets. This was AFTER my call was escalated to the company president (I was told). Since he called me directly, I KNEW it had to be a small company and basically just a listing service scam.

Stupid me. At least I am not alone. There are thousands of names in the bound directory I received. I even found one website relaying their bragging rights because they were "selected" to be in this "Who's Who" List.

Me, I was embarrassed.

I was reminded to publish this for you because today I received another offer - via email. It's the same offer, different name. This time I can register for my "consideration" online. NO Thanks!

Shawn posted that he is actually being sued for posting his story online. (Yes, two years later.) Well, I learned that I can avoid that by not telling you the "xxx" in the name of the Who's Who listing.

BTW, there are more than one name or company doing these Who's Who listing services that cost a pretty penny. Watch out! Having the same name as a prestigious university or airline, does NOT make it credible.

Really, Are YOU Famous?

Come on. You know if you are famous enough to be listed in a real Who's Who of the Academy of the Arts, or Sciences, or something.

Do you THINK you would get a phone call or email asking you for hundreds of dollars for the costs of being "selected" to be in a real Who's Who? Unless it's just a "classy" listing service. Which IS what it is.