Those scheming to mislead others can sit at their keyboard and reach hundreds of thousands of people, in a short period of time. Getting a phony ad or message out is now inexpensive and easy. Online users need to be careful when browsing the Internet and responding to unsolicited offers. If an ad seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Talented individuals can use a Web page to create a company that looks very legitimate.
But don't automatically assume the business is legitimate just because an ad looks great on the computer screen. No matter where you find classified ads online, you are likely to find some false and misleading claims. For example, some ads promote quick and easy get rich ventures, traditional pyramid schemes, or the basic chain letter scenario. As with the handicrafts, where you were almost never able to get paid because there was always something about your birdhouse that caused it to be rejected, few people ever get paid for computer work. Ads claim making lots of money is easy as clicking a few keys and following the instructions on your computer screen.