[Previous entry: "Remember the old 7 Second Rule --- Well, it's Dead. Now it's a SPLIT SECOND."] [Next entry: "Getting Good Leads and Bad Leads and How to Know the Difference."]

02/14/2006: "Terms of the Copywriter's Contract --- Added Protection against Fraud."

A month or so ago I wrote about a client who stiffed me by doing a chargeback on a credit card.

I came across a colleague who has a very good clause in his terms. I'm going to share part of it here. I've started using it myself. It's on his Web site and I'm copying it exactly as he has it there.

You might want to consider using this clause in your own agreements and on your Web site. Of course, if you deal with Fortune 1000 companies or local people you know, you don't have this problem. At least it's doubtful.

But if you deal with these Internet entrepreneurs you've never heard of and know nothing about, it's probably a very good idea.

For further protection, visit the ChargeBack Bureau. It's a real eye-opener and you can get protection for your own business against this type of activity.

Know who the Bad Customers are.

Thousands of other businesses like yours share their bad customers' data in this database. When their members receive a chargeback, they enter the customer's information into the database along with a short description of the chargeback case.The database is searchable by all the members, including you. All copywriters should belong to this organization.