Does anybody know what a SCAM really is?
By Edward
@trinale (1479)
United States
April 20, 2011 9:54pm CST
The reason I ask the question is because it seems almost EVERYONE on myLot involved in PTC programs misuse the word SCAM.
By definition, a SCAM is a fraudulent business scheme.
My question: what is fraudulent about PTC programs? They promise you can earn by clicking and you do. They tell you in their terms of service what their minimum amount is to cash out and what you need to do to get it. When you do the math, you realize you have to click for weeks, months and some cases years to reach the requirements. If you read the terms, agree and still sign up then there's no fraud committed.
In all actuality, I believe the majority of the PTC owners that are, have been or will be operating PTC prorgams don't set out to intentionally commit fraud anyone. I believe many of the owners start out really believing they can run a fair business that's equitable to themselves, advertisers and users but then the reality sets in. EVERY TIME you operate a business that pays out more than it takes in...it WILL go out of business.
Way back when PTC programs first started out, they used to bring in money from advertisers and have enough to pay out their users. As PTC programs became more popular with users and LESS popular with advertisers, PTC owners find themselves paying out more than they bring in.
That's when they created various gimicks like upgrades (where users are actually paying more for premium memberships than they will earn each month), renting referrals and restricting payments to certain amounts or times you can cashout.
Even with all the "gimmicks" used to limit payouts, these programs still always gain more users than advertisers. At some point it always happens...there is no more money to pay users who have reached the minimums. Then what? Nothing to do but shut it down.
This does not make the program a SCAM. It makes it a poor business plan that failed. So if you read the terms of agreement, no matter how ridiculously restrictive they are and still join, you shouldn't call the program a SCAM when it fails. If you didn't read the terms of service and join, you shouldn't call it a scam either.
Just my 2 cents worth. Now I'm hoping to get some intelligent, adult feedback on this subject. What's your opinion?
Stan
1 person likes this
5 responses
@yallit (3677)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
I believe that when a site fails to deliver what it promises (based on their TOS), that is in itself a fraudulent act. For example, the TOS says payments should be instant but instead the admin incurs payment delays or does not pay at all, then, the admin/site committed a fraudulent act and should be rightfully branded as a Scam.
"Failed Business" can't be used as a reason not to pay their members. If we would allow that, then, we'll have a greater number of Scams out there. If the admin chose to run after having a "failed business" and opted not to pay the members, then, the site should be rightfully called SCAM and the owner, a SCAMMER. However, if they pay investors and even those who have reached minimum cashouts after the business failed, then, the site is NOT a SCAM and that the admin made a GRACEFUL EXIT.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
21 Apr 11
People call these kinds of sites a SCAM site when they do not pay out to their members like they stated when you join with them. Some of them start these websites and claim that they will pay you and then they never do. some say they will pay in a certain amount of days and never do also and then they let the site go under and people never get payment.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
21 Apr 11
Exactly. Sites bring it on themselves. I am currently trying to get payment from a site...my first request was last October and when that was oddly put back into my account, I requested it again and again, it was put back in my balance and the owner had no explanation for it. I requested cash out for the third time, it goes through, however it is a 35 day cash out period, I wait that, only to be told that since I explained that I was going to leave the site once cash out received, suddenly the final cash out is paid via check and USPS snail mail.. and I was told "the check is in the mail" and now half into the second week later, I still have not received the check and the site owner is ignoring my requests for assistance...i.e. I asked it be sent to me via paypal or another check issued as this one is apparently "lost in the mail". I earned the money, but the owner is not wanting to pay me properly and ignoring me in the process. It is things like this that make people/members be concerned about sites scamming us. I mean what else am I supposed to think in this case?
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
21 Apr 11
Here is my intelligent, adult feedback on this subject 
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2185626.aspx
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2185626.aspx
@mrgpk63 (444)
• United States
21 Apr 11
Yes the Scam Word is Spread to much for the Wrong Reasons. I have Posted many Blogs at another Well Paying Social Site. A few Members said this and That Site is a Scam in the Comments.It Kills my Chances to get Referrals. It is just a Shame People need to know the Difference or don't want to know the Difference. I can Go On and On.
@mtoms2010 (7)
• India
21 Apr 11
Hi
Even I have come across the same...but I believe my lot is not a scam..
