Let's face it. Most of the programs we join we are entrusting our hard earned money to people we know absolutely nothing about. At least with my bank, I know where they're located and I can pull my money out at any time if I don't like doing business with them.

For the future, someone should start an "Online Business Clearinghouse" (OBC for short).

NetIBA tried to fill those shoes, but we all know who was behind that!

What we need is a trusted OBC. Anyone want to start one?

The OBC should be incorporated.

It's business mission would be to set up a place where owner(s) of businesses with an online presence can register by providing solid proof of their identity and location, including a working phone number, especially if they are new or not well known to the public. For instance, if you're Wal Mart, we know who you are. If you're 15000PercentDaily.com, we don't.

I'm especially thinking of this for autosurf and hyip programs to start.

The registering programs would pay a fee to OBC to register with them. The online community would then have access to a list of those programs that have registered and been cleared.

The clearinghouse should not, however, be allowed to have people sign up through them to any of the programs - so as to avoid any conflict of interest. The registration fees alone should bring them a tidy sum.

If an online business owner chooses not to register with the OBC, they should expect less people joining their programs.