June 25, 2006

Genealogy Leads May Lead To Trouble...

The topic of MLM Genealogy Leads has popped up again in the home based business world, so it's important that I resurrect the following helpful information from the Home Business Today archives...

What Are MLM Genealogy Leads?

MLM Genealogy Leads are basically the names, phone numbers and email addresses of people from an MLM (Net work Marketing/home based business) company that is no longer in business.

They can be acquired through contacts within the MLM company that dissolved, or a list can be purchased from a third-party company.

So basically, they're "harvested" leads. And because of how these leads "harvested," and because these leads didn't request to be contacted, I suggest NOT using them. And here's why...

Problems With Using Genealogy Leads

Aside from the National Do Not Call Registry, some states have recently passed their own Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE) laws. Sending an Unsolicited Commercial Email from one of those states, or, to a resident of one of those states is illegal. Penalties include fines, and in some cases, a jail sentence.

And if you're calling them by phone (whether speaking live, or leaving a prerecorded message) then you're really taking a risk. Calling someone on the DNC list is not only illegal, but carries with it fines of up to $11,000 per violation. Not good.

So my question is...

Even if you do get some results with MLM genealogy leads, why on earth would you choose to do anything in your home based business that's potentially illegal?

Bottom line, I don't want people contacting me without my permission, so I certainly wouldn't contact people without theirs!

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousJuly 08, 2006

    I agree 100%! I'd never join up with anyone who uses genealogy leads as a means of marketing. It's so unprofessional and unethical!

    ReplyDelete

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