By Eric Fung
A recent advertisement, which first appeared on campus bulletin boards around Sept. 9, may not offer students what they bargained for.
The poster offers students the opportunity to work from home selling an unidentified product as an extra source of income. Upon visiting the website and providing their name and e-mail address, a potential employee can purchase a "Decision Package" to help set up their own Internet business.
"These businesses are scams," said Better Business Bureau of Southern Alberta Director (Trade Practices) Brock Ketcham. "They only want your money. They give nothing of value in return that will help you earn an income from your home."
This offer appears to be an instance of a common scam, offering "huge earnings with no experience necessary by working out of their homes," according to the BBB. They recommend that customers exercise extreme caution when sending money in advance or when disclosing information to an unknown source. Previously, similar posters have offered work as e-mail processors, requiring participants to send e-mail spam in violation of Internet Service Providers’ Acceptable Use Policies.
U of C Information Technologies Manager (Web and E-mail Services) Jeremy Mortis agreed, stating that the business likely involves reselling the package.
"They never say what the product actually is," he commented. "Why anyone would send these people $39.95 (USD) when they have no idea what they’re going to receive is beyond me!"
As of Tue., Sept. 10, the posters had not been seen by Students’ Union staff. However, it is permitted under the su poster policy, since it technically offers students employment.
"The problem is that our Poster Regulating Officer can’t be expected to verify the validity of every poster," said su Vice-President Operations and Finance Robbie White. "If there was a formal complaint we would likely take the posters down."
Representatives from the company could not be contacted at their Calgary location, or at their Ontario phone number.