Scams and the Consumer Protection Act

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During desperate times a large number of “get rich quick” schemes do the rounds, especially over social media. Often, “get rich quick” schemes offer unrealistic returns (often in excess of 50% or more) in a very short period of time and all that is required is that an amount be paid.

With the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act certain “get rich quick” schemes were made unlawful, which include: pyramid schemes; multiplication schemes; and, chain letter schemes.

The Consumer Protection Act and Pyramid Schemes

Briefly, a pyramid scheme is a system or a business which offers to pay or reward a member for primarily recruiting new members instead of selling products or services. Often, pyramid schemes attempt to conceal their true nature by referring to the scheme as a multi-level-marketing (or a network marketing) business.

Bear in mind that not all multi-level-marketing (or a network marketing) businesses are pyramid schemes, in fact the majority of such businesses are perfectly legal and do offer their members the opportunity to make money.

The Consumer Protection Act and Multiplication Schemes

In short, a Multiplication Scheme is a system (or a business) which promises returns above a particular rate 20% above the repo rate. Currently, the repo rate is 4.25% and as such any business which offers a return of more than 24.25% should be avoided.

These schemes are unlawful for good reason, often these schemes are merely scams and the only business being conducted is the business of stealing your hard earned money.

A multiplication scheme may have one or more of the following traits:

• The scheme offers a return exceeding the repo rate + 20%.
• The scheme claims that its business method is secret and revealing it would render the method worthless.
• The scheme often uses terms such as “double your money”.

Owing to the popularity of bitcoin, there have been a number of bitcoin multiplication schemes claiming to be able to double your bitcoin using a secret method (often they claim to know of a computer exploit, or hack, which would increase your bitcoin.

The Consumer Protection Act and Chain Letter Schemes

A chain letter scheme is a system in which you are required to: make payments to existing members; and, send the letter to a number of people who might be interested in making money.

In practice, you would receive a letter (or an email / Whatsapp) message inviting you to join the money making scheme and all you have to do is pay some money to the persons mention in the letter and then send the letter to a number of people.

A typical chain letter scheme should have one or more of the following characteristics:

• The scheme encourages you to send the letter (or email / Whatsapp message) to other people.
• The scheme requires you to pay money to the people mentioned in the letter.
• The scheme does not involve selling products or rendering services.

Sources: Consumer Protection Act (RSA); MoneyWeb (RSA); and FTC (USA).