Scambugs/scumbags

I recently had an email asking if I would like to make money from my blog. Of course, the thought of doing so was appealling. Earning 30p over the minimum wage is a struggle - I know you have to suffer for your art, but still, if someone was willing to pay me for my blog, why not?

All I would have to do was pore over lists of products, choose any I fancied the look of and write no more than 150 words on it. Simple. A piece of cake. I didn't even need to be effusive about it. Even better. That meant I wouldn't need to lie. I'd get paid whether it was used by the company or not; obviously more if it was used, but I didn't need to prostitute myself.

It never occurred to me to wonder why I, with a massive following of three people (thank you, loyal followers) would be singled out! I hardly had the captive audience they would presumably require to make a payout worthwhile.

The simple fact is, I was flattered. Apparently, they only choose blogs which are well written and with no spelling errors. My ego got the better of me. 'Hmmm,' I thought smugly, ' I must be good.'

No alarm bells ringing, no metaphorical speech bubbles with BEWARE flashed in my head. This seemed like money for old rope.

Amusing anecdotes about anti-wrinkle cream came flooding into my head. 'Oh yes, I could do this. I could be funny, poignant, clever and original.'

It was my level headed husband who suggested I email and ask how they actually paid you. "If they ask for your bank details, don't give them, whatever they say."

I politely wrote with my question, mentioning the fact that because of the various scams going round, I would be very reluctant to give out my bank details. They had been very efficient about answering a previous question. They were not quite so forthcoming about this one. In fact, that was the last I ever heard of them. Scambugs!

Next time, I will remind myself of the old adage: 'Flattery gets you nowhere'. Wise words indeed.