Do Your Homework Before Working At Home

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor there are currently 14.5 million Americans who are out of work. Many of us who have lost jobs, along with stay-at-home moms looking to supplement the household income, are the perfect target for the latest fly by-night companies.

Some of the popular internet scams today make it seem as though they are affiliated with web sites like Google and Twitter, but after reading the fine print (if you can find it), it becomes obvious that there is no affiliation. Fred T. Elsberry, President and CEO of Georgia’s Better Business Bureau recently discussed some of the newer schemes making their way to you via fake blogs, newspaper articles, emails and web sites. He said, “The pitch used to be about making money by sending e-mails or by placing ads on Google but now cash-strapped job hunters need to be wary of shelling out money for a dubious scheme that revolves around Twitter.”

The schemes work so well because they don’t ask for much of a commitment from their potential victims. One of the popular schemes claiming to be associated with Twitter promises that you can make between $250 and $873 a day by posting on Twitter. The company asks that you purchase a free seven-day trial CD-ROM with instructions.

What it doesn’t tell you up front is that the “free trial” begins the day the CD is ordered and if the consumer fails to cancel within seven days of signing up they will be charged $47 every month to be drawn directly from their bank account. But even if you do call before the seven days is up, it might not be enough to save you from the scam. Consumers have reported that a lot of these types of companies often supply bogus phone numbers or make it impossible to speak with a competent operator.

The Federal Trade Commission’s website suggests that consumers always ask the proprietor of the business the following questions before considering an offer of work:

What tasks will I have to perform? (Ask the program sponsor to list every step of the job.)
Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission?
Who will pay me?
When will I get my first paycheck?
What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?

What has been your experience with scams on the internet?

How do you or people you know avoid falling prey to these types of schemes?

By joy9281
11.26.09

TRY SECRET SHOPPING WITH MARKET FORCE. IT DOESN'T PAY A LOT BUT YOU CAN GET SOME GREAT FREE STUFF MEALS MOVIE TICKETS ETC. AND A LITTLE EXTRA POCKET MONEY. OR SURVEY SITES LIKE MYSURVEY OR LIGHTSPEEDPANEL THEY ARE LEGITIMATE SURVEY SITES I LOVE AND USE ALL THE TIME TO MAKE A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY FOR MY PAYPAL ACCOUNT OR IN GIFT CARDS.
By terrypear
10.31.09

I do local marketing for a Health & Wellness Company that's based out of Idaho. We?re a 23 year old, billion dollar international corporation. This company produces "green" products we all use every day. The products are highly concentrated (saves money) and they work really well, better than store bought ones. I do not sell products or make deliveries - I just advertise for the company and then enroll customers so they can shop direct. My purpose is to share a web cast presentation to anyone who's interested in getting the toxins out of their home (& the environment, too) as well as learning about an opportunity for earning extra money. Please contact me at www.TeamVitality.com/terry
By momagarry
09.23.09

This is so true. YOu need to do research before venturing off into a work at home opportunity.
By boynton21
08.27.09

There are so many scam out there you must be so careful.
By MyEmptyCanvas
08.23.09

I wish these scam sites were not allowed online or quickly deleted once posted or something that way the real sites with opportunities to help others would be forefront from all the other mess. I have also looked at Stay At Home job opportnies.. to many are scams and the one that I thought was not one, I just did not ever get back to writing that person, because of fear and doubt.
By fatheaddog
08.21.09

Good advice! Thanks for posting this info
By sandy36
08.19.09

I am so tired of the scams and hype on the internet. I will not join any program that sounds to good to be true. These con artists they do not care if you make money or not. It's terrible!
By Bootyemo
08.17.09

Thank you so much for all of the info guys!
By DeniseLynn777
08.15.09

I work from home. This is a very simple business and I have been in it for 10 years. I own and operate a house-cleaning business. I average about 15.00 to 20.00 an hour. I work by the job, not by the hour. This has allowed me to be a stay-at-home single mom and a full time college student as well. I have six classes to go and a round of student teaching to complete my BA in Education. I attend classes on-line through the only college in America that is accredited for on-line teaching degrees. That is Grand Canyon University. I also spend my time searching for ways to suppliment my income through selling AVON. I have recently set up a website on Etsy.com to sell my home made crafts. If anyone is interested in doingf this type of work-from-home, feel free to contact me via this forum. Best wishes, Deniselynn777
By jlynn619
08.15.09

I remember my friend telling me about this money making thing on youtube. She showed me this video everything thing seemed all normal until they said all we need is your name, address, and credit card information... after that I knew it was a SCAM, so i just closed the box.
By junconventional
08.11.09

Some work at home will make you pay for a credit or background check. If people exercised a little common sense - scams would not be as prevalent there are legitimate places to work. ratracerebellion.com has a listing. Most legitimate places to work at home function very much like brick and mortar places. Some allow flexible schedules, some are more rigid, you will more than likely be classified as independent contractors, some you are employees of the company, some have non compete clauses, most require a separate phone line with no features, some require that you incorporate your business. If the deal sounds too good to be true or is exceptionally easy - usually spells scam.
By MrsMichelle
08.05.09

It always makes me so sad when people are taken in by scams and so angry that there are people out there who think it's ok to perpetuate them. Personally, I'm in favor of the model that a job is there to pay me, and if I have to put up money upfront, there had better be a GOOD reason and a proven business model. Here's hoping people find a legit opportunity and learn to smell the scams and run!
By pcampo
08.02.09

I have been looking for a legit "work at home" position for over 2 years and I have found nothing. I haven't been scammed b/c if it says anything about needing to pay for something I'm done with it.
By MsFreelancer39
07.28.09

This is very helpful I have been scam before where my bank account was closed. This made me very angry and appalled, people are so scandalous and sneaky.
By Urbanmom
07.27.09

I had the pleasure of working for my former company for a year from home. I had to stop it however as my son grew old enough (16 mos) where it was impossible to dedicate a few straight hours to my position. The problem that I find is that Im trying to find something that is truly worth the hours I put into it and that I can do without stealing too much of my time from my son. Its a shame but often you find companies that ask for money usually are scams.