Free Money » Avoid Work At Home Scams

Work-At-Home Jobs Often Not Scams

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:42:54 +0000

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a consumer alert for people to be wary of business opportunities promising quick, easy money. In 2009, the BBB logged 12,641 inquiries and 21 complaints regarding work at home jobs. The 21 complaints stemmed from a kit that people ordered to commence their work from home. The kit either never arrived, or, if it did, it acted as a guide rather than a job. Work-At-Home jobs are the most profitable way for people to earn a living while being their own bosses and controlling their own salaries. Aside from those fallen victim to scam job opportunities, many people who work from home love what they do. It is entirely possible to employ online business strategies to work for your benefit. You just have to know how. The Federal trade Commission advises you to stay away from medical billing, at-home assembly, rebate processing, mailers and online searches more often than not prove to be scam jobs resulting in profit for the advertiser alone, not for the employee. According to the FTC, here are some questions you can ask when applying for work-at-home jobs via an online employer or advertiser. Ask these questions before you sign anything or send any money.

Who will pay me?
Where is the business located and how long have they been in operation?
When and how will I receive my first pay check?
Will I be paid salary or commission?
What will I have to do?
What do I get for my money?
What is the total cost of the program?
Will I have to pay for supplies, postage or advertising?

You can read other articles on www.freemoney.com/work-at-home that will show you how to avoid work-at-home scams, and how to find the best online jobs for you.

Work At Home Scams to Avoid

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:11:46 +0000

5 Most Common Work At Home Job Scams

... and how they suck you in.

1) Stuffing Envelopes

There are many variations to this popular work at home scam, but they all stem from the same structure. Most commonly the ‘company’ advertises for people to work from home stuffing envelopes. The interested individual then responds to this usually vague ad, requesting work. At this point, you receive basic information directing you to pay a fee for additional information. This is usually $20-$40 and is said to be to dissuade people who aren‘t serious about the job. From that fee you receive a kit, usually with unreasonable standards, or reasonable standards but the company has no intention of actually paying you.

2) Assembly/Craft Jobs

This is perhaps the most abundant of online scams and the most detrimental if bought into, as the employee loses not only time but money as well. These jobs post for employees to assemble products or crafts ‘in the comfort of their own home’, but require that the individual pay the company upfront for the supplies. The company makes the case that they need to cover their tails in the event that the employee does not do the work or return the supplies. They will tell you that once you have completed and returned the work that you will be compensated for the labor, as well as the supplies. Sounds reasonable enough, right? Well, the scam behind this operation is that when and if you do receive the supplies and complete the work, the work apparently does not meet company standards. Thus you are not compensated and "let go." The company makes the money on selling you the kit, not on selling the assembled product.

3) Processing Claims

These claims are largely, but not limited to, medical rebate processing ones. Here is the general scenario: A job is posted stating high compensation rates often upwards of $100 an hour for filling out and submitting rebate candidate information. Here’s the catch: In order to be qualified to process these claims you will need a certification course for proper training that you will have to pay for, and then you will be asked to purchase the special software that the company uses and you will be required to install in your PC to process the claims. This normally costs several thousand dollars and then you are left with no clients, useless software and a substantial financial loss.

4) Data Entry

These ads offer at-home typing positions to fill out forms and supposedly make thousands of dollars every month. All you have to do is pay a fee (usually around $50) for the training package and to have access to their online materials. Yet once you’ve paid and reviewed the site, you find out that it is affiliate marketing. You are asked to post ads on message boards such as the one you read, hooking in more people such as yourself to pay the $50 and make no money.

Tips on How to Recognize Work at Home Scams

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:09:35 +0000

Work At Home scams prey on the unsuspecting. To keep you from getting scammed, we have provided a list of some of the warning signs to help you keep your guard up and identify scams before you fall victim to them.

1) Request for Money

DO NOT SEND MONEY. Any legitimate position will not request that you pay them upfront for the opportunity to work. You are signing up to make money, not spend it! These positions most often request that you send money under the pretext to cover start up costs for assembly or craft kits.

2) Get Rich Quick Claims

If a job sounds too good to be true, then 9 times out of 10 it probably is. While working at home has the potential to make you good money, it usually takes a while to get underway, and you should be wary of claims for fast cash and little to no working hours. These jobs do exist but they are few and far between.

3) Vague Job Descriptions

This is another sure fire way of identifying a scam. If a business proposition is posted online then why isn’t the company giving potential employees enough information to know what sort of job they are getting themselves into? And as a potential employee you should be asking! Job postings that say you can make $10,000 a month working from home and don’t explain the logistics of the job should raise an automatic red flag. In these situations, contact the ad asking for a more thorough description, salary expectations, and the name and contact number of the company. If they are unable to answer these basic, essential questions, STAY AWAY!

4) Time Restraints

If the work at home offer that you are considering puts urgent time constraints on your window of opportunity such as "must act now" or "offer expires" this is almost always an indication of a scam. While many job listings do have a closing date for applications they will not create a false sense of pressure to "apply now before it is too late."

5) Is the Company Registered?

Any legitimate company should be registered with the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission. If there is no physical addresses for the “company” making the work at home offer, then it is likely an at home scam. Legitimate companies pay taxes and have company contact information.

Pyramid Scams

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:27:06 +0000

Pyramid scams are illegal operations to scam you out of your money and enlist you to unknowingly help scam others out of their money as well. Pyramid scams are illegal businesses whereby the promoters at the top of the pyramid make their money by having people join the scheme. They then pocket the fees and other payments made by you and by those who join underneath you.

Difference between Pyramid Scams and MLMs

Sometimes, however, it is hard to tell whether the business opportunity is a pyramid scam or a genuine multi-level marketing (MLM) opportunity. Here’s the thing: MLMs are legal business opportunities that use a ladder-climbing system, but are selling genuine products or services. Increasingly pyramid scams are being made to look like MLMs by selling products or services. You can tell the difference between the two by evaluating the quality and the importance of the product or service being sold. A pyramid scam will put little importance in the actual selling of the product or service, and the product or service will be overpriced, of poor quality, difficult to sell, or of little value. Making money out of recruitment is still their main aim. The reason that this is a scam and that you won’t make money is because there would have to be an endless supply of new members. Reality is that the number of people willing to join the scheme (and therefore, the amount of money coming into the scheme) dries up very quickly. When the pyramid collapses, you and those beneath you are out of your money and the top players walk away with all the money in their pockets.

Warning Signs

Warning signs that the business opportunity is a pyramid scam and not an MLM opportunity include:

You are offered a chance to join a group, scheme, program or team where you need to recruit new members to make money.
The scheme involves offers of goods or services of little or doubtful value that serve only to promote the scheme
There are no goods or services being offered for sale by the scheme.
The promoter makes claims like "this is not a pyramid scheme" or "this is totally legal."

Similar Scams to Avoid

There are some pyramid style scams that don’t quite fit the above mould. Stay clear of the following:

Chain Letters- They ask you to send the email along plus some money by mail to the top names on the list, then add your name to the bottom... and one day you'll be a millionaire. Most times the names in the chain emails are manipulated to make sure only the people at the top of the list (the true scammers) make any money.
Investment Seminars/Real Estate Scams- These are high-pressure sales in high-risk investment strategies. Scammers profit through attendance fees and by selling property and investments at inflated prices.

Working At Home

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:53:32 +0000

With a recession looming overhead Americans without jobs are getting creative to ensure that they get paid, and they are doing it right from the privacy of home, with just a computer and an Internet connection. Working from home is becoming a definite trend and will continue to grow in popularity as people see that they can make you just as much money or more, with more time with the family, and less time and money spent commuting. Online jobs That are NOT Just for Techies! Online jobs are not a new phenomenon, but their accessibility most definitely is. No longer a market for only techies and web-geeks, there now many online jobs available for your average Joe. But where can you find them? Well, online of course! There are numerous forums, websites and newsletters that can help you in this regard.

Where to Start Your Search You can begin your search with www.indeed.com that has job listings as well as job boards where you can post your skills and make yourself noticeable to potential employers. Other sites that are similar in this regard include www.WorkAtHomeDesk.com, www.Tjobs.com, www.MoneyMakingMommy.com, www.FreeJobsAtHome.net, www.Workaholics4Hire.com, and www.HomeCallCenterJobs.com. These are tailored to assist you in finding the best work-at-home job. And of course there are the classifieds in your local newspaper. These are usually available on the newspaper’s website or in the hardcopy that gets delivered to your door every day.

Avoid Work From Home Job Scams While it is true that the Internet is a great source for work at home jobs you also need to realize that it is home to many scammers looking for opportunities to take advantage of the unsuspecting. That’s why it is so important to take the necessary precautions and not fall victim to such scammers. The number one rule: no work at home job can make you rich overnight. Thus, if you come across a job that assures you big money in practically no time at all, it is likely a scam. Another point to be noted is no legitimate work at home website requires you to make a payment. The only exception to this rule is a job search service provider whose services can only be hired. In most cases it is very common for a home based business to require some capital in the beginning. You need to exercise caution at this stage and ensure that you are understand all the financial issues that you are dealing with. If not, contact someone who does! You might also want to do some research and a thorough check of the work at home company. Ask for references or you can also visit various forums that provide good information on identifying the right work at home job.

Make Money From Home

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:52:48 +0000

Making money from home is not as difficult as it seems. There are tons of jobs out there that give you the flexibility to work right from your home, or wherever the road may find you. You can make just as much money as you are making right now, and quite likely more, if you just set your mind to it. Organize your time and space Working from home is not for everyone as it can be very distracting. But if you are a motivated individual that is able to overcome these distractions then you will do just fine. To get yourself prepared for this new task and to be able to perform best in your new at home role, you do need to get yourself organized. Set up an office area in your house that is clean, organized and clear of distractions. Make sure to provide a secure spot for financial and confidential documents as you need to be able to guarantee your employer, as well as the customer, that their personal information is not compromised by your actions. Then set your day and make sure to complete it. Set the amount of time that you expect to work each day and stick to it. During this time, make sure that your family is aware that this is mommy or daddy’s "work time" and that you should not be disturbed. This will allow you to maximize the time spent working, and ideally work significantly fewer hours than you would in an office. What kinds of home jobs are there? You do not have to be a computer whiz to work from home. In fact some of these jobs don’t even require computer use except for maybe sending an email or two! You can begin with an online selling process. You are likely familiar with eBay that allows you to post your items for sale and sell them for maximum bid. Well you can sell products that you purchase and then mark up, or you can sell items that you have made yourself. For example, if you are good at handicrafts then make these items at home and sell them for attractive prices. You can also utilize your counseling skills and make money from home!! You can then help plan events or offer financial advice that can help people in saving money. And if you happen to be a computer whiz, well, that’s even better. With your specialized knowledge you can make money from home by designing your own website and employing techniques that guarantee good traffic to your site.

Work From Home

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:51:26 +0000

The increasing global financial crisis and job cuts have resulted in people hunting for an alternative way to make money. Well perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise because now these individuals are finding themselves with countless opportunities to make at least the same amount of money working right from home. With the increasing popularity of the internet the possibilities of online work are limitless. You can be your own boss and start your own online company, or if you are looking for a job without the risk or pressure you can find a position in a company that has already been formed. It is a win/win situation that will have you saving time and money from no longer having to commute into work, and perhaps most importantly you will have much more time to spend with your family.

NOT TRUE! Common work from home myths: You will be surprised to find that there are several myths that are involved in work from home jobs. 1. Kids will disrupt work at home activities: While this is possible, it can be easily avoided. Simply set your daily schedule and sit down and explain it to your spouse and children. They will quickly learn that this is mommy or daddy’s "work time" and won’t disturb. Effort, dedication and patience are all that is required. 2. Tax filing is a huge problem: This is not the case at all. While tax filing is unknown territory for most, it can be learned quite easily. Simply take an hour out of your day and visit the IRS website that provides a variety of resources for individuals working from home. Here, they will tell you just what you need to do to stay organized and on top of your taxes. 3. I can become rich overnight!: This is perhaps the most common myth, and the one that most people fall prey to. Work from jobs will offer a decent living wages, but beware that most- if not all- "get rich quick" jobs are found to be scams.

Tips for shaping your work from home career: Here are a few tips that can assist you in shaping a successful work from home career. 1. Be organized. Keep good track of customer accounts, sales figures, and scheduled appointments. This can be your key for a successful work from home career. 2. Select a trustworthy employer. This is important since it helps you dodge the numerous scammers who are waiting to cheat you out of your money. 3. Time management. Plan your daily activities and ensure that the assignments are completed according to schedule. 4. Be Serious About Your Work. Ensure that your family and friends understand your work and don’t think you just fiddle around at home. This can avoid disturbance in your activities and help you concentrate on your work.

How to Get Started To find a work from home job that is suited to your unique personality and interests you should definitely do some investigating. You can start searching for jobs with the classifieds. These ads target specific markets and you can pick the one that suits your requirement. Forums are another great source for finding good business ideas. You can post your queries on these boards and receive help from other online workers and even from professionals as well!! Work from home jobs need not always be unique. Do you know a friend who has been earning great profits through these jobs? Well, you can consult him/her and start learning the business tricks. You might want to convert your best talent into a business idea that can guarantee you good benefits. Once you have found the right idea there is no barrier that can stop you from reaping the benefits of work from home jobs. So you might want to begin your research for the best idea right away and experience its endless benefits!

Home Business Opportunity

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:49:56 +0000

Advancements in Internet technologies have resulted in numerous online job opportunities. While many of these Internet jobs are not difficult, in many of these positions, especially if you are starting your own company, there is a certain amount of technical ability required in order to be successful. Securing Your Domain First thing is securing a domain name that is in line with your company name or product. And although it is easy to begin your home business opportunity with a free site, it is advisable that you check whether your ideal website or domain name is still available. The possibility of a new website being ignored by the search engines is also quite likely. A good idea is to use these free sites initially and then adopt your own site after learning the SEO (search engine optimization) techniques. SEO for Online Success - Generating Leads Any home business opportunity can prosper only if there is a constant lead supply. Without this, networkers can experience a lower income rate due to inadequate sign-ups by the distributor or down-line attrition. You can either generate your own leads or you can also choose to purchase them as well. This lead generation process is rather difficult and requires the creation of a lead-generation web page, which is also referred to as a capture page or squeeze page. This web page is instrumental in luring several opportunity-seekers subscribing to the mailing list and receiving gifts or other benefits. The next step would require you to promote the lead generation page that can bring in good prospects. However, you can also choose to purchase leads that can ensure good prospects for your home business opportunity. The lead companies are responsible for all the marketing involved in discovering prospects. But purchasing leads can be much more costly as opposed to generating your own. This is because of the retail price (cost + profit) that you would be paying to the company. And you need to ensure that you purchase fresh leads since they are more receptive. Finding REAL Business Opportunities Online There are many home business opportunities on the Internet. However, not every opportunity is legitimate. In order to create a prosperous home business opportunity you need to look for evidence that shows this business will generate good profits. If a plan fails to convince you of its worthiness then you must consider the next one available. Your home business opportunity must offer financial independence apart from being easy to handle. This serves as good measure to examine the legitimacy of the business. The difficulty level can inform you on the success of the business. Keep in mind that a legitimate home business opportunity would inform you of its performance levels and what would be the approximate amount that you can earn in that particular business. Benefits of Having a Home Business Home business opportunities offer several benefits as well. Surprisingly good socialization and networking are high on this list. Plus there is no peer pressure which enables you to set your own goals and work at your own pace. And according to many studies, the absence of competition from a peer is also instrumental in improving one’s self esteem. The growth opportunities are tremendous since you will never run short of options for home business opportunities.

Make Money At Home

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:49:16 +0000

Who wouldn’t want to make their living by working right from the comfort of their own home? Well, while this may still just be a dream for you, it is a reality for many individuals around the world. To make this dream your reality and to start making money from home all it takes is following a few tips. Start by Researching Opportunities To make money at home you need to do your research first. Think about the type of work that you would want to do and why you want to do it. Then look for a company that seems trustworthy and profitable in that particular line of work. This research will help you choose a satisfying job, but will also help you to identify the scammers in the Internet world who are trying to cheat you out of your money. If the company can’t provide references or information about themselves, you should beware. Consider Affiliate Marketing The first work at home opportunity that you will likely encounter is affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is an Internet-based marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. You need to educate yourself in order to make good profits through affiliate marketing. Do thorough research and educate yourself on how other people are gaining profits through this medium. Once you have an adequate familiarity you can then start focusing on specific areas of marketing. You can also create unique business ideas and begin earning money from home. The marketing strategies cannot be mastered easily and hence you would want to register yourself as affiliate with some of the business enterprises. This will improve the chances of receiving better responses for your product. This can take some time so you need to be patient. Online Writing and Editing Can Pay The Bills Freelance writing or editing also offer good opportunities to earn money from home. You can use your editing skills and make money from home by translating or proofreading web content. Or you can opt to create the content by taking an online writing position. The increasing trend of distance education has also resulted in the need for online tutors. You can thus choose to utilize your teaching skills and earn good money. And That’s Not All Virtual assistant, online musician, medical transcription and call center services are some of the other options available to earn money from home. As you can see the opportunities to earn great profits through internet is endless. These opportunities, when combined with dedication, can ensure you a prosperous work at home career. Happy earning!!