Work at Home Scams

Scams are the bane of the work at home parent's existence. They abound on the Internet and in the world in general. Fortunately, there are some warning signs you should always look out for that will keep you from falling for most of them.

Work at Home Job Scams

Home Assembly and Crafting
So many people would love to use their crafting skills to earn money at home. Is it possible?

Envelope Stuffing
Another of the classic ways people want to earn money at home. You always see the signs for this along the sides of the road. Does it work?

Online Surveys
Filling out surveys sounds so easy, and the stories are so promising....

Chain Letters and Randomizers
Chain letters long predate the Internet while randomizers are newer. Are they safe to participate in?

Mystery Shopping
Earn money while you shop! Sounds like a dream come true.

Ad Posting
All you have to do to earn tons of money is post ads on sites! What is the reality?

Data Entry
You have great typing skills, so data entry sounds like a great work at home opportunity. How do you know if it's real or a scam?

Reshipping
Recieve a package someone else bought, then forward it on. What could possibly be wrong with that? Plenty!

Payment Processing
Cash a check or money order while keeping your share. So easy, could it be true?

Medical Transcription/Billing/Coding
The demand for help in the medical industry is quite high. Can you really do this from home?

Fake Work at Home Job Leads
You find what looks like a great work at home opportunity on a job board. What is it really?

Work at Home Job Boards
Pay a fee and you'll get leads on finding legitimate work at home jobs? Hmm....

Autosurf
Get paid for surfing websites. Is it legitimate?

Home Business Scams

Refund Tracers
Help people get their HUD refunds? Sounds great!

Internet Marketing Seminars
Pay a fee to attend a seminar to learn how to earn money online. Are internet marketing seminars worth it?

Online Business
Is there even such a thing as a legitimate online business?

MLM Scams

Multi-Level Marketing
What makes the legitimate opportunities different from the scams?

The FTC also offers some excellent advice on selecting a franchise or business opportunity, which applies to both online and offline opportunities.

In General

Watch out if the ad promises hundreds or thousands of dollars with little effort, "guaranteed!" No one can guarantee that any business will succeed, and all businesses require effort and time to make money.

Also beware if no experience is required. While there may be legitimate opportunities out there that do not require experience, it is more likely that they are trying to prey on the inexperienced.

LOOK OUT FOR CAPITALIZATION!!! AND EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! Got your attention there, didn't I? That's their goal too. A scam wants you to get so excited about their opportunity that you don't think. Be too smart to fall for that.

Vague ads where you have no idea what the product or service you will be selling are also trouble. Legitimate companies want you to know what you'll be selling, so you'll be excited about the business and the product. Scams just want you to be excited about the business.

If you feel pressured to make an immediate decision, tell them the answer is 'no.' Once again, a legitimate company wants you to be enthusiastic and happy with your decision. If you're buying a franchise opportunity, make sure they have a money back guarantee.

Check the company out on the Ripoff Report. Businesses can reply to reports here, so you get both sides of the story. See also the BBB's report on work at home scams.

If You Get Scammed

First try to clear it up with the company. If they are uncooperative, let them know that you will be contacting officials about the matter. Then do it.

• If you found out about the company on a website, let the site know so that they can take it off their site.
• Post your story on the Ripoff Report, so that others can see your story.
• Contact the Attorney General in your state or the state the company is in.
• Contact the BBB, both your local office and in the company's state.
• Contact the National Fraud Information Center if this was a "get rich quick" or "easy money" scheme.
• Your local Consumer Protection Offices.
• The Postmaster if you recieved the offer in the mail.
• The Federal Trade Commission. Although the FTC does not handle individual complaints, they are on the lookout for patterns of deception and unfair practices. To register a complaint, write to: Correspondence Branch, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

 

 

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