You receive a congratulatory phone call or an e-mail from somebody who is in your industry (usually from Las Vegas). They have found your business on websites like LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, and tailor the conversation (message) using the name of your company and your accomplishments – and so, you are pleasantly surprised.

The call (or the letter in the mail) is very warm and friendly tells you that you’ve been selected as the recipient of a reputable annual award ($5,000), which is offered by a privately funded society.

You are invited to go to Las Vegas for the award ceremony and - since you are the most recent winner - you are also be asked to become a member of this elite society. You feel very flattered and so gladly accept the offer, agreeing, of course, to pay your registration fee, which is not much compared to the award you’ll be receiving.

The “membership” you’ll be asked to pay is something like $400 for an annual subscription or $600 for a life membership. Indeed, you won’t be getting any $5,000 award – they just want your $400.

How to avoid: remember that Vegas always wins. Out of the blue awards are always scams.