Obviously, you guys already know that I make money online and from my blogs through advertisements. From time to time, I get direct advertisers contacting me about placing banner or text link ads on my blogs with a fee we have agreed on. And just yesterday, I got another email which raised suspicions that it could all just be a scam. It’s from a representative of a certain Jino Agency who claims the ad is for Lacoste. Her name’s Killian Blanchard. Here’s a screenshot of the email:

It made me suspicious because, first off, it’s for our food blog. Why would Lacoste be interested in placing an advertisement on a blog that’s completely unrelated to fashion? I continued on to see what will happen, already wary that it’s another one of those phishing scams. They said they have different ad banner sizes and would like to know the rates we offer for each.

By this time, I already checked their site – www.jinoagency.com.  I’m a web designer so I know that their site was pretty easy to come up with.

The site’s language is in French so I had no idea what the contents were. I was hoping to see a list of accounts or brands they handle, but found none. I was hoping to translate their site to English using Chrome’s integrated translate feature, but it wasn’t an option.

So, I ended up using Yahoo! Babel Fish which worked like a charm. The translation may not be perfect, but it’s obvious that their contents don’t sound like they come from an actual PR or advertising company.

I continued on to send them my rates to see if they would accept it. The thing is, I gave them very high ad monthly rates (scroll down for the screenshot of how much they’re willing to pay for a month!). Surprisingly, they liked my prices. So, they continued on sending me instructions on how to publish the advertisement.

As it turns out, I need to login to their site with the info they provided and then install a plugin on our blog. The only time I installed a plugin was for a reputable third party ad network and I only have it up and running on THIS blog. I’m just not comfortable installing any script or plugin on any of my high traffic blogs, most especially our food blog.

What I did next was to search Google for any post about them. I only found one link, but it was filled with all the necessary information that would conclude it was indeed a scam – Devious Scam Aimed at Bloggers.

The author and a couple of the comment posters on this certain blog post were very suspicious too of this ad placement. Having been very careful with putting malicious scripts on my blogs, I always make sure to check the code of any plug-in I install on my WordPress blogs and I do my research first. This time, I guess it more than paid off. And I know how important it is for me to share this to everyone just in case they got the same email and were hoping to earn a decent amount of money from these scammers.

Apparently, based on the comments, they won’t pay you afterwards. The codes may seem harmless now, but malicious plugins can give access to your WordPress blog or site to unauthorized people. So, you have to be VERY careful with what plugins you install.

Here’s a screenshot of the site they asked me to log into:

And the instructions on how to install the plugin:

Did they contact you too? If yes, please share your experience. And please, be careful. There are a lot of online scammers out there now and they get more creative everytime.

I’ll be posting more about dealing with direct advertisers here next time. Stay tuned!

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UPDATE: A fellow blogger mentioned about Mana Agency, a company one of the comment posters on the blog post I mentioned earlier revealing this as a scam too. Well, look at their website… doesn’t it look so fricking familiar?

I’ve been a member of Hits4Pay for the longest time (since 2008) and I really thought they’ll never pay me. But, guess what?! Yesterday, I got this in my Paypal account:

Yes, dear. That’s my first Hits4Pay payment proof of $26.01. That only means Hits4Pay is a legit and paying site!

Now, don’t get your hopes up too much. Like what I’ve said, I’ve been with them since 2008 and I only got paid, what, after almost 3 years?! It’s simply because I don’t get as much ads from them as other PTC sites. I consider myself lucky if I even get one ad in a month from them.

Hits4Pay paid emails are mostly targeting members in western countries, particularly in the USA. And I’m just glad that I got myself some direct referrals, otherwise, I’d be 90 before I even see a cent from Hits4Pay.

By the way, they redesigned their website. They look cooler now. I just wish we’d get more ads though.

If you’re not a member yet and you’d like to try Hits4Pay, click on the banner above or here to sign up under me (please? ).

Also, if you’ve noticed for the past months, I haven’t posted any new payment proofs here. I decided to quit doing that and focus more on actual contents on this blog. But, I’ll try my best to share with you some proofs that I do make money online.

A lot has happened recently which caused my absence here and on my other blogs. Don’t worry, all positive. But, I’m trying to my best to still keep all my blogs (yes, I’ve got 6!) updated as much as I can since I know there are people who do read what I’ve got to share and write about.

But, I’d be focusing more on other ways you can make money online other than PTC sites because, let’s admit it, it’s really time-consuming clicking all those ads. Good thing there are some that are still existing that can truly be trusted and even offer unlimited referrals. You can find their links on my sidebar.

I’ll be updating the list of my trusted sites. So, keep posted for more updates right here. And if you have any questions or something you’d like me to try before you do, let me know at the comments section, aight?

Are you thinking of quitting your job and want to know how you can wisely invest your earnings to earn passive income?

Or maybe you just want to know more about various money-making fields like the stock market, real estate, global funds, forex, franchising, e-commerce, and information marketing, among others?

Then, you SHOULD join the Money Summit & Wealth Expo 2011!

Take note, just like all of the money-making programs I’ve featured here on my blog, the strategies you’ll learn from this conference won’t make you an INSTANT MILLIONAIRE. They won’t teach you get-rich-quick techniques. This is a LEGITIMATE business and investing conference where experts will share with you TWELVE (12) different ways to earn more money.

Specifically, you will learn how to:

• Invest in the stock market using fundamental and technical analysis.
• Invest in bonds and pooled funds such as mutual funds and unit investment trust funds.
• Buy gold, silver, and other precious metals.
• Trade in the forex market.
• Buy and sell real estate properties.
• Make money from foreclosures and rehabs.
• Buy and manage rental properties.
• Build and sell houses, townhouses, and apartments.
• Make money online.
• Earn from blogging and affiliate marketing.
• Sell on eBay and other e-commerce sites.
• Create information products and membership sites.
• Earn from royalties, licensing, and subscription fees from your intellectual property.
• Make money in network marketing.
• Franchise your business and earn franchise fees and royalties.
• And more!

Unsure if you should attend?

If you are looking for shortcuts, get-rich-quick schemes, this conference is NOT for you.

If you say YES to any or ALL of the questions below, then, you should consider attending the Money Summit and Wealth Expo 2011 conference.

Are you an employee…

• who want to get out of the rat race?
• exhausted with your 8 to 5 job?
• tired of paying too much in taxes?
• who want unlimited income?
• who want to earn extra income without quitting your job?

Are you a self-employedprofessional orproprietor…

• frustrated with self-employment?
• who want cut back on your time working?
• overworked with non-stop servicing of clients?
• who want to profit from your expertise?
• interested in new sources of income?

Are you a freelancer or consultant…

• tired of endless bids and pitches?
• getting overworked and underpaid?
• not enjoying a reliable source of income?
• who want to continue freelancing but earn more?
• who want to own your intellectual property?

Are you an executive…

• happy with your job but want to prepare for retirement?
• who want to replace earned income with passive income?
• considering transitioning into a consulting career or entrepreneurship?
• interested to explore investment opportunities?
• who want ensure your nest egg outlasts you?

Are you an investor…

• looking for other investment vehicles?
• who want better returns for your money?
• interested in investing or trading full time?
• who want to create a more profitable portfolio?
• wanting to meet like-minded individuals and strike possible partnerships?

Are you a business owner…

• looking for more business opportunities?
• who want to be more successful in your business?
• interested in exploring other markets?
• who want to generate more passive income?
• who want to build income-producing assets?

When is this happening?

There are 2 venues for the Money Summit & Wealth Expo 2011:

Money Summit Manila

Date: July 22-23, 2011
Event Times: 8.30am to 5.30pm
Venue: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City

Money Summit Cebu

Date: August 12-13, 2011
Event Times: 8.30am to 5.30pm
Venue: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Cebu City

Take note that these summits will feature different topics. Check the list below.

Click here to join Neobux, the #1 PTC site with INSTANT payments!

Before you read my post or even react, read the important announcement that the Neobux admin posted in the forum. It’s all about the implementation of new advertisement offers that they are claiming should benefit not just the advertisers but members as well.

Now, here are some of the important things you should note about this recent change. Well, these are the only ones I think deserve to be pointed out as this might change your plans as a Neobux member:

1. The advertisements we get now will earn us $0.001 per click VS $0.01 previously.
2. The commission for referral clicks have changed, too.
• Standard members – $0.0005 vs $0.005 previously
• Golden members – $0.005 vs $0.01 or 100% referral commission before
• Golden members with Golden Packs – $0.01 or 100% referral commission
3. A 35% decrease in prices for advertising. This means more ads to click.
4. Advertisers can now buy Fixed or Permanent ad spaces.

A lot of Neobux members might be alarmed by these changes. Here’s my take on these changes.

NOTE: My Golden membership has expired in February. I decided to NOT renew my membership because I want to check what’s going to happen now that I have 200+ rented referrals already.

Points #1 & #2: Lower earnings per click & referral commission

These changes might be the only ones that matter to most Neobux members. After being used to earning $0.01 per click, now, the earnings per ad viewed is down by a whooping 90%.

I know, that’s alarming, especially for those who have rented referrals. Referral commissions of Standard to Golden members WITHOUT Golden packs also lowered down to 50%.

A lot of members had negative reactions about these 2 points. And I can’t blame them.

Point #3: More ads, more ads to click, more earnings, right?

Neobux has lowered down the costs of advertising.on their site. That means more people would want to purchase advertising. For us members, that means more earnings, right?

Some may argue that since the click value of ads have lowered down too, there’s not much difference with the earnings no matter how many more ads are available to members. And, honestly, I agree with them.

• Before these changes, for Standard members:
• 4 Ads worth $0.01 each = $0.04 per day
• 6+ micro ads worth $0.001 each = $0.006 per day
• Total: $0.046 per day
• After changes have been implemented:
• 4 permanent ads worth $0.001 each = $0.004 per day
• 6+ micro ads worth $0.001 each = $0.006 per day
• Total: $0.01 per day

That’s a HUGE difference, right? But, wait. How about those who have referrals?

• Before, for Standard members:
• 100 direct referrals with 4 ads each = ($0.005 x 4) x 100 = $2.00 per day
• After changes:
• 100 direct referrals with 4 ads each = ($0.0005 x 4) x 100 = $0.20 per day

Ouch. Even with those micro exposure ads, I don’t think there’ll be much improvement with the earnings of members.

To sum this up, I’m not upgrading my Neobux account anymore. Well, at least not yet. I’ll stay as a Standard member until I see any improvement. I’ll keep you updated on my observations and if I’m about to change my mind.

What are your thoughts on these changes?!
Let me know at the comments section!

Lockerz is holding 5 redemptions for all their members! Yes, that’s 5 redemptions! The first one went live a couple of hours ago, but you still have time to join the other redemptions.

Tip: For Philippine residents, the redemption usually happens at around 5-8am.

If you’re eligible to join any of the redemptions, you should’ve received an email notification. If got lost in your inbox, here’s the list of eligibility rules for each redemption:

• Redemption 1 – Members who joined Lockerz before August 1, 2009
• Redemption 2 – Members who joined Lockerz before December 1, 2009
• Redemption 3 – Members who joined Lockerz before August 1, 2010
• Redemption 4 – Members who have not redeemed in 5X Redemption and who joined Lockerz before March 7, 2011
• Redemption 5 – Members who have never redeemed at PTZ Place and who joined Lockerz before March 7, 2011

I’m not really sure where I belong. I forgot when I started with Lockerz so I’ll try my luck with redemptions 2-4.

Lockerz New International Shipping Rules

If you’re an international Lockerz member (meaning you live or your shipping address is outside the USA), there’s some bad news. Well, actually, for me, it’s good news since you don’t have to worry about having to pay for duties and taxes. I completely understand why they had to change the Lockerz international shipping rules. Here’s a quote from their FAQ:

Why don’t you ship to countries outside the US?

International shipping has proven too costly. Members often have rejected items once they have arrived because they have refused to pay for duties and taxes. Lockerz ends up paying to ship such items twice or abandoning them. Everyone loses as a result.

Now, how can you redeem using your PTZ then? Straight from their FAQ:

Do you ship to my country?

We will ship Redemption items to members with US addresses. Winners with shipping addresses outside the US will receive a substitute cash equivalent based on the item?s approximate retail value in US dollars (USD) via PayPal or AlertPay only. Please note that the approximate retail value upon which we are basing the cash award is non-negotiable by our members and all decisions are final. Members still will be solely responsible for reporting and paying any taxes, duties or fees.

So, to keep it short, you get a cash equivalent of the item you’re redeeming through your Paypal or Alertpay account. Since I’m actually planning on redeeming Paypal cash only, I don’t have any issues with this.

IMPORTANT: For you to receive cash through the 2 payment processors they’re using, YOU MUST make sure the email address you’re using to login to Lockerz is the same email address you’re using for your Paypal or Alertpay account. Just change your email address on your account/profile settings page and confirm it.

When will be the next Lockerz redemption?

Since there are hundreds of thousands of members on Lockerz, they cannot announce exactly WHEN the redemption is happening in advance. They will only tell you it might be happening this day and you have to wait, like the rest of the members, for the announcement that the redemption is live.

If you cannot enter the Lockerzredemption or PTZ place, that means you’re not eligible to redeem anything. Make sure you read the rules that they post on the main page to see if you qualify.

Want a FREE Lockerz Invite?

If you want a FREE Lockerz invite, leave your email address in the comments section below. I’ll send you one right away!