Work-at-Home Scams: How to Investigate Work-at-Home Job Listings

How can you tell if a work-at-home job posting is a scam or a legitimate job? There are warning flags that can help you determine what's real and what isn't.

(Scams can also be an issue when looking for jobs that don't involve working at home. Job sites try to police their listings but it's hard to catch all the bad listings in a timely manner. Be careful when reviewing postings to make sure that you're not taken advantage of by unscrupulous job posters. Remember, if they ask for money, it isn't a legitimate job offer!)

The Paycheck

If it isn't listed in the job posting, find out if there's a salary or if you're paid on commission. For work at home jobs, ask how often are you paid and how you are paid.

You Won't Get Rich Quick (Really)

Avoid listings that guarantee you wealth or that will help you get rich fast, or offer you high income for part-time hours. They will do none of the above.

Hang on to Your Money

Do not send money! Don't send money for work at home directories or start-up kits or contact lists. Legitimate employers don't charge to hire you or to get you started.

Check References

Ask for references if you're not sure about the company's legitimacy. Request a list of other employees or contractors. Then contact these references to ask how this is working out. If the company isn't willing to provide references (names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers) do not consider the opportunity.

Think Twice

If it sounds too good to be true, you can be sure it is! Also, read any "offers" you get very carefully. One candidate for employment got a very detailed job offer from an employer. The only problem was that she hadn't applied for the job and buried deep within the lines was a request for her bank account information, so the employer could pay her. It was a scam, but with some of the well-written ones it can be hard to tell.

The Work at Home Jobs You Don't Want

Assembly Jobs

No, you can't make lots of money assembling craft kits or any other type of kits. You can waste money on a package to get you started though.

Data Entry Jobs

You'll see lots of listings for data entry jobs. They are usually a sales pitch for a kit that will "get you started."

Multi-Level Marketing

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), which involves recruiting new people and more new people, to sell a product. If all you are doing is trying to find more people to do what you're doing, keep in mind that there are probably thousands of other people attempting to do the same thing. None of them are getting rich AND you could become part of an illegal fraud scheme.

Online Businesses

"Do you want to start your own online business and get rich?" Be very wary of these types of ads. What you will do is end up paying for a guide to working at home which duplicates information that is available for free.

Posting Ads

Lots of advertisements state, "workers are needed to post ads on online bulletin boards and forums." You won't get paid to post, rather you may get paid IF other people sign-up.

Processing Claims

In order to get "hired" you'll need to buy equipment, software and pay for training. Also, is there really a market for your work? Ask who their customers are so you can contact them.

Stuffing Envelopes

There are still ads claiming that you can earn $3 or $4 per envelope, stuffing them - you can't. Most major companies now have postage machines which stuff, sort and meter mail.

The Winner in the Scam Contest

Sites that offer to sell you information "only" on legitimate work-at-home jobs - for a fee, of course. Don't do it!

Work from home job postings are everywhere. In fact, there are so many of them that work at home schemes are on the National Consumers League's list of Top 10 Frauds. Unfortunately, most of those positions aren't what most people would consider a "real" job or any kind of job at all. There are no benefits, no hourly wage or salary, only a promise of making money.

Legitimate employers do not charge you a fee for anything. In many cases, the person or organization will try and convince you that you'll earn the money back or that you're only paying for supplies. Don't fall for it and don't send money - it's a typical work from home scam. Operating a home-based business is just like any other business - it requires hard work, skill, good products or services, and time to make a profit.

There are a number of resources that may be available in your local library that can provide good advice and lists of legitimate companies that hire people to work for them at home.

Adapted from: Alison Doyle on www.About.com: "Work at Home and Employment Scams"

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