Internet Scams 2009 - Online Scams List for 2009

Many people are aware of the Nigerian email scams of the past -- and some are even hip to the phising email sccams that send links claiming to be from Facebook or PayPal, but contain dangerous links to malware instead. But are you aware of the below top web scams and frauds that also became popular in 2009?

According to recent news reports, the list of top Internet frauds and scams for 2009 includes some scams that have been around for several years, but are just taking different forms.

And other online web scams and frauds are just now coming to light -- with the FTC recently filing complaints against some webmasters who promise get-rich-quick schemes that actually bilk customers of monthly charges from their credit and debit cards.

With that news in mind, here's a general breakdown of the latest online Internet scams and frauds -- and how to avoid them:

The 2009 "Google Money Work-at-Home" Posting Links or Job Kits Posing As a Blog -- or Legitimate Looking News Websites

Although scammers selling "Google kits" for supposedly only 2 bucks or so have been around before 2009, during 2009 they've upped the ante and changed their methods of pitching to unsuspecting consumers desperate to find ways to make money online.

Internet scammers in 2009 purchased pop-up ads and titled them with legitimate sounding names of newspapers that really don't exist. Or peppered their sites with testimonies of "Scott's blog" or some other neighbor-next-door sounding friendly person who allegedly got fired or is a stay-at-home mom who learned how to make $5,000 to $7,000 online by posting links for Google.

This is a scam because the way us online writers make money from Google is by using Google Adsense, and not from "posting any links" like they are writing about.

The scammers are making money hand-over-foot in 2009 by charging credit cards and debit cards $70 to $80 per month and automatically enrolling people in programs they don't necessarily want or need -- because they didn't see the fine print or "term and conditions" of the scammers hidden on other pages in the websites.

Acai Berry "Free Trial" Scams
Another top internet online scam that became more prolific in 2009 was the Acai Berry weight loss free trial scams.

Tempting ad pics showing flabby bellies transformed into flat ones sent people clicking and signing up for "free trials" of the Acai Berry products that they thought would only cost $1.89 or so -- but really cost 80 bucks per month approximately, again with the automatic "opt-in" feature scam that became more popular in 2009.

Online High School and College Scams
I'd never heard of the online university scams nor the internet high school frauds, tilll I just read the report from ABC News about Belford High School and Belford University -- and their plethora of BBB complaints.

Robocall Scams
Technically not an online scam, but still using technology to pull off their fraud -- companies that leave automated robotic, calls confusing consumers about car warranties and credit card rates expiring saw the light of day in 2009. And plenty of consumer complaints.

Where to Report Online Internet Crimes in 2009 -- And What to Do if You Fell for One
If you've fallen for one of these prolific online net crimes or scam frauds in 2009 or beyond, there are plenty of things you can do to try and right the situation:

1. Contact your bank or credit card institution immediately and cancel the card you used when purchasing the scam information
2. In some cases, the bank or financial firm may reverse the charges
3. Contact the Better Business Bureau and report the crime
4. Also report the online scam to the FBI's Internet Crimes division
5. Call the number listed on the website that charged you fradulantly and cancel your membership
6. Follow that phone request up with a request to cancel in writing to any email or physical address listed on the website
7. Warn others about the scam by writing about it online, or verbally telling others about the crimes -- especially if they are new 2009 internet crimes that are yet to become popular
8. Leave comments below and on various websites letting others know about the 2009 internet crime