There are many opportunities out there to WORK FROM HOME. The good news is that there are truly legitimate companies that help you to do this, the bad news is that there are also scammers waiting to take your money!
Many can be traps or business scams so it's important that you do your homework and research! Scammers aim to get your money by preying on your emotions. You are desperate to work at home, to be with your family and to provide income.
Stuffing envelopes seems like the PERFECT answer but most times, it's truly not.
Here are some tips for KNOWN work at home or home based business scams.
The golden rule--- If It Sounds Too Good To Be True--- It probably is.
The golden rule--- If It Sounds Too Good To Be True--- It probably is.
Another golden rule I'm making up myself-- if it's on Craig's List AND IT SOUNDS to good to be true. It probably is. There's a SPAM/ SCAM button right on Craig's List-- for flagging these potential money suckers. Why is that?
Because they're not legitimate! So heads up!
Who these scams target:
1. Stay at home mothers. Looking to supplement family income and do it ALL! I've been there with you!
2. Disabled, elderly or sick who have difficulties managing a traditional job. Medical bills are piling up and families are desperate to pay them off.
3. Low income families or no income families. People who are desperate to find work to help them begin anew.
4. These scams target those without a higher education. This doesn't mean that you AREN'T intelligent, it means that scammers don't THINK you are.
Don't fall victim to these companies and do your research! We can't stress that enough!
What Types Of Companies Are Scams?
From my research I've found several TYPICAL scams to take note of and steer clear!
From my research I've found several TYPICAL scams to take note of and steer clear!
1. Envelope stuffing, craft assembly or other tasks that promise to pay per you as an employee --are most likely not legitimate. Seriously? If you are even considering this scam then I bet someone can sell you ice, in the frozen tundra! These are crazy schemes so don't fall for them! Here's how they work.
Envelope stuffing has been around for ages and ages from what I read. We're talking 1920's. Basically you're promised a "pay per envelope" stuffed income. Most likely you'll get your starter kit, after sending your hard earned money, and it will have some fliers for you to recruit others to do the same thing you just got suckered to do. Now you're a officially a scammer! Congrats!
Assembling toys, dolls or crafts require you to buy a starter kit with an upfront fee. That's most likely the last you'll see of any income from what we've researched! You are NOT the Willy Wonka of toy making or crafts. You're goinna get "WONKED!" That's about it!
RED FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
2. Mystery Shopping. Oh this one has had my eye for YEARS. In fact, KDKA just has a woman on the news who was duped for THOUSANDS of dollars which she happily paid in money order form.
Mystery Shopping. The low down. This is a valid service. There ARE actual companies that provide this feedback to the service industries. I've been SHOPPED myself as a server years ago. ( I was perfect of course!)
However, I've never met anyone who nabbed a position, via Craig's list or the penny saver. In fact, in all my years I myself have never come across the opportunity to join a legitimate security shopper company though I've wanted to!
Be very wary of any secret shopper opportunity and do your research. Money upfront to join something like this, is money lost.
RED FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
3. Offerings to "help" you begin your own home based business. This is money-- that you'll most likely never see again. You don't need assistance to begin to work from home! There's no magic company that does the work for you. These are vampires waiting to suck your blood money! They're not cute like Edward Cullen either!
RED Vampire FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
4. Medical Billing or transcription services: Oh this one sounds SO GOOD! I've even investigated it myself after meeting people like our friend Tammy G ( highlighted in this publication) who have done something similar for years.
The difference is this: she works for a firm that contracts services out to medical companies. SCAMS offering this opportunity ask you to pay up front for software to create this business on you own.
You might be asked by a scammer to pay in upwards of $200 to $1000 for everything you need to get started, including software and a list of potential clients to get started. If this works on you-- then I'll sell you a library card, cheap. :)
RED FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
Try this link to LEGITIMATE companies hiring transcriptionists.
http://www.wahm.com/forum/transcription-services-scopists-55/445937-companies-hire-ics-general-medical-legal.html
5. Email Processing!
http://www.wahm.com/forum/transcription-services-scopists-55/445937-companies-hire-ics-general-medical-legal.html
5. Email Processing!
This is simply envelope stuffing for the techies out there. Envelope stuffing for the new millennium +12. At least there are no tongue paper cuts but it's just as financially lethal. You're going to lose money.
Most likely you'll pay upfront to join and then given instructions on how to spam others with the same ad you just got "had" on. Skip this one and keep the spam to the can.
RED FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
6. Buying Lists -- How awesome! Someone did all the work for you! A LIST of companies who want to PAY YOU TO WORK FROM HOME. Sounds great right? NOPE, sounds like a SCAM! You'll pay a fee for the one time list and you'll be left with a piece of paper that isn't money. The only list you need-- is the one I'm typing to you right now. THE BEWARE OF BOGUS OFFERS LIST!
RED FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
7. 1-900 Numbers - For More Info!
If you have to call a 1-900 number to NAB UP MORE INFO on ( a scam you are not yet noticing) you're a foolio though we still love you! We all learned in the 90's about 900 numbers! THEY COST YOU MONEY on your phone bill. This is the bulk of a scammers earned income. Don't fall for it. Don't call Dionne Warwick either to double check on this one.
I can predict the outcome of that one myself! MONEY--LOST!
I can predict the outcome of that one myself! MONEY--LOST!
See, I'm Nostradamus!
RED FLAG-- this one will suck your money from you!
8. Turn Your Computer Into A Money Making Dollar Spitting Machine! ( or something like this the ad will say)
Sign me UP! RIGHT? No way. There's no fairy godmother bibbity bobbitying and turning your computer into a money maker. You're the only one who can do that like some of the MOMS WHO'VE MADE IT HAPPEN we are featuring in this publication.
This isn't the SAME though.
AGAIN, you'll be asked for money upfront for software of some sort or a download and then be stuck with instructions on how to SPAM and SCAM people the same way you were. You don't want none of that now, do you?
9. Chain Letters --- via e-mail.
This one has gone high tech and it's no longer your Momma's recipe exchange. They were annoying then and nothing has changed except the modus operandus! It involves emails, sending money and moving your name to the top of a list of some sort. UM-- NO! Run away from this one ( and also the tea towel club! How many TEA TOWELS have I lost!? More than I care to TOWEL YOU!)
10. Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
This one is tricky because there are many MLM businesses that are legitimate and working. Don't be scared away by the term MLM. If you are selling a product or service to others and also offer the business opportunity to others by finding new recruits, it can be legitimate and financially beneficial.
This one is tricky because there are many MLM businesses that are legitimate and working. Don't be scared away by the term MLM. If you are selling a product or service to others and also offer the business opportunity to others by finding new recruits, it can be legitimate and financially beneficial.
The problem occurs when MLM's become pyramid schemes and the pyramid climbing becomes the more important part of the company or process. Selling the product or service-- becomes the back burner. That's something to be aware of. A pyramid scheme is all about finding new recruits to line your pockets with commissions. It is deemed a pyramid scheme by the Federal Trade Commission and is fraud.
Final Thoughts
That concludes our in flight seminar on "WORK AT HOME SCAMS!" Please turn your attention to our in flight attendant, Debby Perry who will close our seminar with some personal thoughts.
All jokes aside folks, it's a frightening list isn't' it? Makes you angry as well, I hope. Angry enough to be AWARE of money hungry scammers. No need to worry though. You're prepared just as you would be in flight because you participated in our "scam" seminar!
You've now lined your pocket and brain with some "red flags" that should pop up when you find yourself searching for that PERFECT work from home job.
As you can see in our guide, there are MANY legitimate opportunities out there! There are also many ways to begin your OWN business like some of our MOMS WHO MADE IT HAPPEN. These scams listed above-- are NOT the way to go however. Remember, if someone is trying to sell you ICE the tundra. Most likely it's a scam!
