hbiz.co.za scam or not?
Is hbiz.co.za a scam?
The questions has been asked a couple of times by some of my readers. I also saw on another blog and in the forum of a friend of mine that there are concerns about this “business”
I checked it out.
I will not give you the direct link to the site but you can find it at hbiz.co.za which I presume stands for “home business”
The web site offers you a solution for working from home. It claims that you can earn R24,000 after 6 months if you just follow the steps.
At first I wanted to buy the packages like I often do in order to evaluate it. But after spending 30 seconds on this web site I decided that it would be a good R250 wasted. (Or R270 on another page of the site)
It seems as if all they do is sell you a package filled with “Data processing”, “get paid to read emails” and “money from surveys information. The package also contain a whole of of free eBooks which you can get with full resell rights.
Most data processing, surveys and email reading programs are a rip off, some of them like data processing are illegal to advertise in South Africa. You can do a search for “Gazette 29823″ or read it here
At the data entry package I saw this notice on the page where they describe how you will be making money.
You will need a PayPal username to register at PayDotCom. You do not have to register at PayPal as you will have to use our USA based PayPal account. The reason for this is that South African based PayPal accounts can not receive money. The PayPal username you must use is homebizgroup@hbiz.co.za
All your earnings on PayDotCom will be paid to our USA based PayPal account. All you need to do is to email us proof of your earnings on PayDotCom to get paid. Once we have confirmed the payment in our US based PayPal account we will pay the full amount into your South African bank account. NO FEES WILL BE DEDUCTED!
This is quite something. So you will place all the ads and hbiz will get paid for it. It is true that SA based PayPal accounts cannot receive money, but nothing stops the person who signs up to select the “cheque” option at PayDotCom. I have been receiving and depositing US Dollar checques for the past 9 years without problems.
Another concern is that they say “NO FEES WILL BE DEDUCTED!”. Now PayPal takes 3.4% + $0.30 USD per transaction and PayDotCom takes between $1 and $3 per transaction. So if Hbiz receives all these payments and are willing to pay you the full amount without deducting any fees they are either making a loss or do not pay everybody who makes money.
On the Womenatwork.co.za forum it was said that:
They offer supposedly legitimate work at home jobs that you have to pay R270 upfront for for the package, but if you buy it and you realise that you have been had, try and contact them and you never hear from them again. The jobs they offer are supposedly: typing, filling of envelopes, admin work, data entry, surveys etc. Most of what they offer have been made illegal to advertise as legitimate jobs and one can get fined huge amounts of money for contravening this law, but these people are still surviving.
My recommendation to you is to treat this one with gloves. We had more negative reports than positive ones and especially when “Data Processing” is involved it should be a warning signal.
Unless of course if the owner of hbiz can convince me otherwise. Until that time it will remain a “NO-NO” for now.
If you had any experience with Hbiz, please share it in the “comments” section below.
i almost spent money on hbiz toady.thank you for saving me. i guess when something seems to good to be true,it probably is.however,i do want to know why they get away with this crime.especialy for nearly 10 years.why don’t they get caught?
Hi Pieter
Thank you for warning people about internet scams. I unfotunately decided to check up on Dataworx/hbiz after I deposited my money into their bank account today. It now appears they are a scam from what I have read.
How come they have not been closed down?
Many thanks. Wendy
Thanks pieter if I hadnt read this blog I would have joined.But i am open to other options so if you come across something legit please mail me…
Jay, first read the post at http://pietpetoors.com/blog/where-to-start-making-money-on-the-internet/
You can also buy my book at http://www.pietpetoors.com/blog/store/
There are various things you can do, I might repeat above mentioned post now; You can create and sell your own product online, you can promote other people’s service or products, you can join an online mlm like BMT, see http://pietpetoors.com/blog/be-motivated-today/. In my eBook I show you various scam free businesses which I have been using the past ten year. But first read the post I refer to above.
Hi Pieter,
Thank you for the blog. I really appreciate it. I have been looking at many ways to make some extra money. I also have a son, 23yrs, and he is also very keen to do some extra work. It seems that most ads like the HBiz, are scams. What have you worked on that is proven to be successful and “scam safe”. J
OK, for every body who are asking for help and who are looking for a way to make money on the Internet. I am sick and tired of seeing how people are getting screwed on the Internet while they are vulnerable. I wrote a new post at http://pietpetoors.com/blog/where-to-start-making-money-on-the-internet/ where I hope to shed some light for you wealth seekers.
i saw an ad for homebiz in a paper, if it is illegel how do they get ads in a newspaper. to those ppl who have tried it after how long did you discover that its a scam and is there any way we could catch these guys and get our money back? thnx for the posts guys im a student and needed the money to pay for fees im glad i didnt try it, i would have been in serious trouble if i did.
Dankie tog ek wou op die Hbiz web gaan, toevallig het ek op die scam web site af gekom ek sit met die papiere reg voor my was op die pad om die R270.00 in te betaal, dankie Pieter jy red lewens!!!!
you need money to make it
I DO ONLY NEED MONEY TO SERVIVE PER MONTH
Kan julle my ook asb. laat weet van iets anders? ek.s nou so telleurgestel en ek moet ‘n inkomste inbring.
hi daar ek sien jou komentaar op die site wil net weet ek het ook die ding probeer en het nie weer van hulle gehoor nie … het jy dalk iets anders gehoor … oof het jy iets anders gekry wat jy kan doen op die internet
Im so glad that I never tries this.. there are more negative articles about this than positive ones.. Shame on you for stealing innocent peoples money!!
I would love to hear your explanation of this
you are really part of a scam and you know it.(people watch out!)
Hi Letithia I would not touch Herbalife if I were you. It is way too expensive to get started which limits your potential market. The products are also over priced and mostly used by its members. The only thing good about Herbalife is the training they offer their people. You would be wasting your time and money. Look for an easier, more affordable MLM like BMT, it is much easier to recruit and keep clients.
Hi Leatithia, there are many scams out there, go to our website and contact my wife Julia, she will take you through a very successful home based business.
http://www.herbalhealth.org.za
http://www.earnyourworth.co.za
Ek het net Maandag die geld gaan inbetaal en het nog niks weer iets van die homebiz gehoor nnie. En dis bad dat ander mense jou geld so steel……. Sies!!!!
@Noreen you will see that in general we advice people to stay away from the so called “Data Entry” jobs. Most (if not all) of it are scams. You can try it if you want but I won’t touch it.
Hi,
has anyone tried this site http://www.easyhotjobs.net ? is it legit. looks intersting
i alsmost joined with this fee. i have been researching and toying around with this idea but now that i have saved my last 240, i really think i want to hold on. if you guys know of a home business that can help plz let me know, iv come to a point of desperation. zamah.s.ngcobo@gmail.com
Hi Peter
Is there anything out there where you don’t need to buy or pay any money upfront before you start. I haven’t got any money to put upfront, but I also need to earn money, since my husband’s salary is getting smaller each month.
Mariaan
i’ve just purchased the package and am battling to get my head around it.Seems do=able,but i agree that letting someone keep the full control of payments does not ring true.Have any of you really got stuck in and given it a decent go ?? Just wondering—.
Annelie, most online “businesses” use the same basic concepts, they will require you to either recruit people, sell something, promote something and get paid a commission or setup your own web site and make money from selling ad space. In my eBook I explain all of that so that you can understand exactly how it works. You can get it at http://www.passive-income.co.za
I realy wanted to try this, but now I’m scared. Is there another way of making money. I’m a single mom and just earn a small salary.
Dankie tog eks vroegtydig gewaarsku……my dogter het laasjaar matriek geskryf en sukkel nog steeds om werk te kry – wou dit vir haar betaal om iewers te begin geld verdien
i wanted to try it after reading all the comments i changed my mind any idea how to work from home but no scams.
Dear Lindsey
I think you are part of the scam why defend it so much it does not exsist,pple like you dont belong in this world,what happend to capitalizm,helping other people reach their goals,Dreams and Ambitions and please turn it to reality,so that people can sustain their families
Dear Pieter
Thanx Heaven for saving us ,me julia and twinkle two other friends nearly did post the money monday 30 November 2009,we come from poor backrounds,have siblings to look after can you help with something we can do from home its cristmas
IF ANYONE KNOWS OF SOMETHING THAT DOES REALLY WORK, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT arc2@telkomsa.net WIT’S CHRISTMAS AND WE ALL NEED MONEY, NOT SCAMING PEOPLE OUT OF THE LITTLE MONEY THEY HAVE.
hi people, i just want to thank you people for puting this on the web for all to see, we are only human and trying to make a living for our kids and families, how can people be sooooo harsh, we all made mistakes in our lives and maybe dont have all experience required for a good job or atleast something that could pay the bills and feed the kids.
thank God for people like you who atleast warn people.
I am hurting to this day on the hbiz. I thought it was an answer to my prayer, I actually borrowed the initially fee and was looking to borrow more to get going. They will pay someday really. Thank you guys for your posts I would have fallen deeper.
On a seperate note,I just must thank Pieter for his article on the pyramid myths. Thanks so much, somebody had just thrown water on my effort, felt discouraged but I am glad for your article, it assisted and healed me. Thanks again Piet
I wouldn’t exactly call hbiz a scam it’s just that you need money to make it work and there’s lots of competition and lots to learn before you can actually start making money.I have received numerous responses to my previous post about whats working for me.I’m now running my own business from home,it has International Income potential,you can spread your business to any of the 51 countries that are part of this business and live the life of your dreams.Its exciting and fulfilling.If you want to find out more get in touch with me by either texting me your number on 0792992396 so that i can call you or e-mail your contact details to maenzanisel@yahoo.co.uk with Home Business in the subject line.
I’ve tried it, its a scam
I ts a scam I’ve tried it
Leattitia I do suggesth that you read my book before you look further. In my eBook I address many of the common pitfalls in the industry and show you how you can really make money on the Internet. The eBook is at http://www.passive-income.co.za
Hi Pieter
Sad to say but I was informed that I would only spend the R270 for the package. Do they not have a conscience as they had seen I was disabled.
Hi Natasha God will really deal with them. I am a disabled mom with three children and decided to give this a try. After driving 1h30 received my package and I am R270 poorer than I was on the 19.10.2009
CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME I NEED TO DO SOMETHING FROM HOME
You can also call me on 0027413741655 or 0027792992396.
I got scammed before but i found something that works.e-mail me for more info maenzanisel@yahoo.co.uk with home business in subject line.
If I look at the products hbiz are marketing I do not see much wrong with it. What I DO NOT like is the fact that you have to place ads with their affiliate links in and they will pay you whenever something are sold.
Everything they promote you can promote on your own without having them in between. This is normal affiliate marketing.
What makes me angry is that people pay to be told to place ads with their affiliate links. I knw from experience that if you try to do affiliate marketing without your own web site and a mailing list your chances on success is roughly 1% or even less.
So now all these people try their luck and advertise the products with hbiz;s affiliate links. 98% of the people will give up hope after 2 days and call it a scam. They ten turn their attention to something else. Problem is all those ads with hbiz’ affiliate links are still on the web sites. So they get a hell of a good marketing campaign where people place their ads on their behalf and most of them will never get paid for it.
Remember this: If you are trying affiliate marketing without your own web site or mailing list you are wasting your time.
I also tried the hbiz.co.za and it’s definitely a scam. I don’t know what enjoyment people get by doing others in. God will deal with them.
I was so desperate to make money from home that I tried 2 other things after hbiz….surprise..surprise they also turned out to be scams.
I was also scammed by hbiz.co.za. They are DEFINATELY A SCAM!
Hi, unfortunately I wasn’t as lucky as others who read this site. I signed up with hbiz. Its definately a scam. I signed up 2 weeks ago. I placed around 60 ads and waited. On contacting the lady at hbiz, she then said I have to wait for a product that I advertised to be sold then only would I get paid. I am so angry. Nevertheless, I tried something else today… which also turned out to be a scam. All in search of making money from home. I wish all these scams were stopped and the innocent people given actual work from home
Thank God I read this blog. I was about to subscribe to hbiz and was checking out their website when I saw this blog. Thanks alot Pieter
Thank you 4 da blog. I almst subscribed 2 homebiz.bt now i know i know beter.
Thank you for this blog post and subsequent comments.
There was a classified ad about Hbiz in the local newspaper. I went to their site hbiz.co.za and the content on their site screams,`SCAM!!!’
I urge those of you who have already been ripped off by Hbiz to file a complaint with http://asasa.org.za/Default.aspx?mnu_id=81
And if one sees these types of scams being advertised in newspapers, to write to the newspaper and inform them of the legality of such work-from-home `opportunities’.
In nobody takes a stand and makes their voice heard then these criminals will continue to steal money from people. Good luck!
I paid almost R700 18 months ago. I have had no help, whatsoever with the company in Potechefstroom who were extremely abrupt, took at least 5 days to give an evasive email reply and I am thoroughly disgusted that this SCAM can be allowed to carry on. Why don’t the authorities shut them down cos I could surely deal with the R700 that I spent. I still have the receipts. DISGUSTED.
im so dissapointed as i have no money and struggled to get the homebiz package and yes it was too much and i havent made anything yet!!!this is so unfair i always get bad luck,i dont own a credit card so can i still open a account at pay pal as im broke!!!
thanks melissa
@maryke
hi sorry my email was wrong first time aroud it is jjankowski24@gmail.com
i also struggle with this homebiz very much what can i do
Hi Pieter, I have recently received the hbiz.co.za package .On telephoning them in Potcherstroom I could not get hold of them , I paid R270.00 for the package to be a data entry clerk, You have to create an account with paydotcom.com and try and promote products from their marketplace.e.g. money and home employment.hbiz.co.za has a paypal account which they state they will pay you once you have placed adverts on the free sites that they have given to you.I have tried this now for many days and cannot come right.All we are really doing is promoting hbiz and if they feel you have posted these ads then they pay you.They also have a refunds department as they garauntee 100% satisfaction.You are totally right about these so called home business opportunities available in South Africa anything that you have to pay money for is a scam.Freshmarketing is another scam wherby they offer you paid online surveys.You have to register with 50 sites minimum in order to qualify.These sites are all out of our demograhic region take up your time and you become frustrated without earning a single cent.Another one to look out for is whatreallymakesmoney.co.za.you are just buying C.D.s from a company in Northgate by the name of fleetstreet publishing at an average cost of R699.95 with the same old boring information on it and they are coining in the money.They claim that you can make R180,000,00 overnight.A good website to go to for international sites is http://www.scam.com and there are only 2 websites that they can recommend.
@Romeo Have a look at http://pietpetoors.com/blog/be-motivated-today/ or buy my eBook at http://www.passive-income.co.za . In my eBook I discuss various ways of making money online.
Hi,
Does anyone know of a work from home system that is not a scam? If so, please forward me the details on my Email: sufwaanrm@yahoo.com
My Girlfriend wanted to explore this “business venture” and after reading your blog, I must say thanks.
Doing a .co.za search via whois [ http://co.za/cgi-bin/whois.sh?Domain=hbiz ] I found some info on the “owner”, so if you have a problem I would refer it to the registrant of the website.
These type of people should be prosecuted for defrauding decent hard working people. That is just my opinion, if this is a scam. I still have to be proven wrong.
2a. registrant : Leon de Wet
2b. registrantpostaladdress: 2 Parys Ave, Potchefstroom, NW, ZA, 2531
2c. registrantstreetaddress: 2 Parys Ave, Potchefstroom, NW, ZA, 2531
2j. registrantphone : 0794934964
2k. registrantfax : n/a
2l. registrantemail : leon@hbiz.co.za
@P Dille Thank you for your feedback Patrick, I appreciate your effort and am looking forward to your update.
My friend brought the package he purchased from hbiz for R350 as he is not very computer literate and needed some help setting up what they call “adforms”. They posted him some documentation which I followed with his allocated “login” online. It is designed to confuse! Following the instructions step by step, one simply comes to a dead end – none of it makes sense, even for me with over 20 years of computer industry experience. We sent a help request to hbiz and received an auto response and that’s about it. We have also consulted someone else who makes money honestly with blogs, adwords etc and he seems to think it’s a scam. We’ll continue to investigate this and will update your blog when we know more.
I bought this sort of thing once but it was called Home Business(I think)about 6 or 7 yrs back and it cost me R600. When I received it it was a major information overload, so it took me about a month to get into it to find out that they have given me booklets which I have to copy and redo in my own artwork and design (which will cost me a fortune as I did not have the equipment to do it so would need to go to the printer and have my details printed on the book). Then they gave me 500 names and addresses which I had to print on labels and post out leaflets to potential customers (no stamps – more money to spend) and my responce was ZERO. Fortunately for me I decided to send out the leaflets first before I spent the money on the printing. What a waste of money. They also had a phone number you could phone but still no one helpful on the otherside. So if it says “Filling of Envelopes” STAY AWAY ITS A WASTE OF TIME – I KNOW I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND BEEN DOING IT FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.
Good writing. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed my Google News Reader..
Matt Hanson