Learning For Success

Protecting Yourself Against Distance Learning Scams (Part II)

April 20th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Check Out the Online Learning Company

The first place to start your review is to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the company’s home state and request their history of complaints filed against them. You can also visit the BBB online and research the category designated especially for online businesses. If the results indicate that they have a negative history, this will be a good indication of the quality of the organization.

Also verify the number of years the company has been in business and how long they have been conducting their online education business. Keep in mind that some fraudulent operators have been in business for many years, but rarely do they stay in any one particular business for very long.

Verify Accreditation

Accreditation is very important in regards to the value of the degree that you receive. If you receive a degree from an unaccredited institution, it may diminish the value to, or even be disregarded by, potential employers or other colleges or universities.

If the distance learning program you are researching boasts that they are accredited with a certain certifying institution, make sure that they are. The accreditation must be current and the learning institution must be a member in good standing. And of course, verify that the class you plan to enroll in is also accredited.

Another check that you should perform is to confirm that the accrediting company is legitimate. There are only a few companies that are recognized as authorities in the accreditation process.

This particular tip is probably the most important action you can take to protect yourself against getting involved in a scam. Verifying the accreditation of the institution and the courses is your first line of defense against these unscrupulous operators.

Note: The conclusion of this article will be posted in Part III