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Beware of These Work From Home Scams

Work at home scams are everywhere, preying on those looking for legitimate job opportunites.  You are trying to bring in some income by doing work out of your house, while these scammers are finding ways to lure you into their scheme.  Don’t fall for it.  Here are some of the common scams floating around.  I hope they help you avoid some of the work-at-home job traps.
 
#1 –
EBAY SCAM.  There is a scam going around right now where an overseas company asks you to sell products on eBay using your own account, and accept payments from the buyers. Then, you subtract your “commission” and forward the rest of the money to the company and they will ship the product to the customer.
 
THE CON.  What actually happens is the company takes the money and never ships the products.  This leaves you in big trouble with eBay for taking the money and not delivering the product. It is incredibly easy for legitimate companies to get a merchant account with eBay so there is no reason why they would need you to use your own account and forward the money to them. Don’t fall for their trap.
 
#2 –
ASSEMBLY SCAM. Are you good with your hands and enjoy putting things together?  If yes, then assemble our jewelry, toys, clothing, gadgets, etc. in your spare time and make tons of money!

THE CON.  The company will ask you to pay a hefty deposit to ensure that you complete and return the work.  Unfortunately, when you return the assembled products you will learn that your work did not meet their quality standards and be rejected.  The zinger, the company will keep your deposit too because your work was deemed unacceptable.

#3–
MYSTERY SHOPPERS SCAM. Who doesn’t dream of getting paid to shop?  This scam claims you can make big bucks rating customer service at your favorite stores.  The best part is you also get to keep all the clothes you purchased.

THE CON. There are some legitimate mystery shoppers out there, but in reality they only make about $10-15 per hour (and maybe a free lunch). Many times, you’ll be asked to pay for “training”, then once you’re sent on assignment and come home with loads of new clothes, you won’t be reimbursed for the money you spent.  Worst of all, these scammers are trying to acquire your Social Security number. Never give out this information unless you are absolutely sure the employer is legitimate even if they have a professional-looking website.

#4–
CHECK SCAM.  I’ve seen this scam on Craigslist.  Sometimes scammers will send you a paycheck and then contact you saying they overpaid you. They will ask that you mail them a personal check for the amount they overpaid you.  Steer clear of any type of “job” that requires you to use your own accounts.

THE CON.  A couple of weeks after you’ve sent your personal check, you will discover the paycheck they sent bounced.

#5–
STUFFING ENVELOPES SCAM. I think everyone has seen this ad: Earn extra cash stuffing envelopes!  Sounds pretty easy.  This scam promises to pay you big bucks for cramming paper into envelopes, all you have to do is purchase their supplies or training package.

THE CON.  All you get are worthless instructions on how to stuff envelopes or con your friends into signing up too.  In reality, companies have machines or some poor intern to stuff their envelopes at half the cost of what they’re claiming to pay you to do it.

#6–
BILLING PROCESSOR SCAM. This claim is advertised with the title of Medical Billing Specialist or Insurance Claims Processor.

THE CON: You’ll be asked to shell out big bucks for the required software and training.  Unfortunately, most companies have their own people to process their claims and bills. If they need to outsource they send the work to large companies not work-from-home individuals with little to no experience. You’ll end up paying for the training and software, but never see a cent.

CONCLUSION.  A work-from-home job is just like one outside the house, employers pay you to work, not the other way around.  If you are asked to pay for training materials, charged fees, or anything like that, get away!  These are most likely not legitimate work at home job opportunities.  Don’t get taken advantage of during this tough economy.  It only takes a few minutes to spot a scam.

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4 responses to “Beware of These Work From Home Scams”

  1. Work At Home Safari — Blog — Beware of These Work From Home Scams | Cash For All says:
    October 7, 2009 at 8:11 pm

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  2. Work At Home Safari — Blog — Beware of These Work From Home Scams | My Dollar Street says:
    October 7, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    [...] while these scammers are finding ways to lure you into their scheme. … Original post: Work At Home Safari — Blog — Beware of These Work From Home Scams Tags: Work From Home You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both [...]

  3. Lowell Christensen says:
    October 8, 2009 at 3:12 am

    This is a great list. There is so much hype on the internet… and far too many people desperate to make money at home in hopes of quitting a day job they don’t like. If they would just cut through the hype and spend their time working on a website or writing a blog, they would find that within a few months, they will have accomplished something. Will they be making money? Who knows, but it’s a start. A little work each evening goes a long way over the course of a few weeks and months.

  4. Craig says:
    October 8, 2009 at 8:35 am

    Hi great blog the fastest way i know of making money online is with a good mlm company that has a good compensation plan and great support and tools,this is what i have found now with this great company i have joined and what makes it great thats it’s free to try.

    Thanks craig

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