We’ve all been there. You hire a web designer to build your website plate form and go spearhead forward into months working together in the business relationship. Then mid-way in the business relationship the administrative person or team you’re working with. Their services, work ethics’ their accountability to your paid in advance project stall. Starts to slowly minimize services you paid for start not to be honored nor warranted. In this thriving market for Online Website builders businesses are supposed to work toward our paid-in projects, our best interests and be our partners. But later on down the line their attention, responsibility and liability to our business contract and the business relationship is of no importance. This outright hurts first. This becomes frustrating and we as the clients feel taken advantage of and violated. Now there’s great sense of deception and ghosting taking place. We paid the deposit for our project and then now we recognize we are completely being ghosted cut off of communication when it’s time to deliver. These are unscrupulous business tactics “doing us their customers wrong.” What do we do when to Red Flags come later down the road once we’re deeply invested into the business deal, signed contracts and paid for services in wait to be delivered?
How to Fight Back
You aren’t powerless when you encounter bad business practices. Here are a few concrete steps to protect yourself and hold wrongdoers accountable:
- Get Everything in Writing: Never rely on a verbal handshake. Ensure all quotes, timelines, and guarantees are outlined in an email or signed contract.
- Review before you Pay: If you suspect you have been a victim of a financial scam or a deceptive business practice, report it immediately to your bank
- Or credit card company to dispute charges. Report to your Better Business Bureau or your local state attorney general’s office. In severe cases of digital fraud.
God Word
God condemns deceit, manipulation, malicious and human vulnerability of exploitation with people for financial gain. The Scriptures are very clear about the nature of dishonesty. Scammers target individuals using flattery and promises of quick wealth, while victims are often blinded by greed or a desire for easy answers. Flattery and empty words a scammer often use with manipulative language to disarm their targets. The Apostle Paul warns believers to watch out for those who “by smooth talk and flattery deceive the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16:17-19).
