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How To Spot A Work From Home Scam
While there are plenty of legitimate work from home offers available on the web, there are many more scams.
When looking for a work from home job you need to be careful.
If you fall for a work from home scam you could end up:
- Wasting your time
- Losing Your Money
- Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft
- Involved in Fraudulent or even Criminal Activity
The FBI lists these common work from home scams you should avoid.
The Advance Fee Scam
This is where many business “opportunities” fall. In this scam you pay a fee and in return you are to receive everything you need to start your own (fill in the blank) business. You pay your money and end up with a bunch of worthless junk…if you get anything at all.
The Mystery Shopper-Counterfeit Check Scam
This scam seems like a no-lose situation…they send you money!
How it works: Your “employer” sends you a large check that you deposit into your bank account. You spend the money shopping at local stores and sending wire transfers. Some of the money you send back to your employer. But a few days later you find the check was bad, and you are liable for the funds.
Pyramid Schemes
My personal favorites are all the “gifting” programs out there. But the most common way this scam works is that you are hired as a distributor for some type of product. Many times the product you are selling is of low value and overpriced. You make your money by recruiting others to sell the product. Meanwhile you are required to purchase inventory and sales aids, all of which become worthless with the pyramid fails.
The US Agent Money Laundering Scam
In this lovely scam you are hired to be a US based “agent” for a company. This typically involves receiving merchandise and then reshipping it to another address. What you don’t know is the crooks are using you to launder money and/or steal merchandise, with no trail back to them.
The Phishing Scam
This scam may be the hardest one to spot. You apply for a job and it appears you are being considered, or even hired. The company then asks for your personal information and then the job disappears. The scammers now have all the information they need to steal your identity and and ruin your credit.
Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed
Watch Out For The Warning Signs
- You are offered large profits for only part time work.
- They don’t tell you exactly how the plan works until you pay them the money.
- They never actually offer you a job without taking your money.
- You need “little or no experience” to make “huge guaranteed profits”.
- You are pressured to make a decision immediately.
How To Protect Yourself From Work From Home Scams
Be suspicious whenever you are asked to pay money for a job.
First contact the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company is legitimate.
Don’t provide personal information until you are sure the offer is legitimate.
Do some research! Google the company name with “scam” and see if anything comes up.
Following these few simple tips can save you money and heartache.
For more information check out
FBI-Work From Home Scams
Better Business Bureau Work From Home Schemes
Federal Trade Commission Work From Home Schemes
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