Monday, December 21, 2020

Multi-level Marketing Scams Take a Hit on TikTok

FINALLY: someone is taking action to crack down on predatory Multi-level Marketing (MLM) promotions. 

From the Dec. 17th edition of The Atlantic: "Under a section of policy prohibiting various types of “Frauds and Scams”—which used to focus on outright Ponzi schemes, get-rich-quick hoaxes, and phishing attempts—the company became the first major social-media platform to declare that multilevel marketing was verboten as well. The addition “helps our community understand what to expect on TikTok and what to report to us,” a spokesperson told me. “Which further helps to protect people, especially those who may be vulnerable or unaware of MLMs.”

Check out the full article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/12/tiktok-bans-multilevel-marketing-mlm/617422/

Not sure if the "life changing" product you've been contacted about is an MLM? Don't count on the "friend" whose trying to recruit you to 'fess up. Do yourself a favor: head over to Wikipedia and check this list of MLMs.  

Over the last several years, I've personally been targeted by reps from Monat, Young Living, Isagenix, Mary Kay, Amway, Cutco, Rodan + Fields, Pampered Chef, and others. The reps all say the same thing, that it's not a pyramid scheme, it's a "small business" that allows them earn extra money and be a "boss babe."  And yet, they all follow the same aggressive recruitment tactics, while being notoriously secretive about posting the specifics on how it all works--because if they were to publicly describe the compensation structure, they'll be called out as a pyramid scheme. Don't fall for it!

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