subject: Work At Home Scams - Don't Be A Victim [print this page] Work at home business scams are so prevalent that some financial and business consultants claim working from home isn't legitimate. While that's untrue, you should be careful to avoid any scams when you are exploring work at home options. Some scams are pretty sly, but others have obvious signs.
Vague Ads
When ads don't tell you about the company or what you would be doing, the system likely is a scam. Some multi-level marketing companies don't allow their name to be on ads, but these companies typically are less successful and rely on their consultants purchasing products rather than building a business. Others are trying to sell you an idea or workbook rather than offering a job.
Promises of Riches
Ads claiming that you can make "up to $5,000 a week with little work" aren't real. These ads are trying to get you to buy into their system. Again the basic idea is to convince you to purchase some product or system. The company makes its money from you, and then you are left with an unworkable system and a lower checking account balance. Some programs are excellent though as long as you follow them closely and put what you learn to work for you.
Envelope Stuffing and the Like
The envelope stuffing scam is simple. You send $2 to an address and get the "package" in return. The package is a bunch of fliers you put up telling people to send $2 to you. This scam involves no work; you're simply making money by skimming $2 from every person who falls for the same ad.
Other similar work at home scams exist, and all of them work off the same system. When considering a work at home ad, consider whether it would make financial or practical sense for a company to pay someone to do the task. Companies have no reason to outsource envelope stuffing jobs, which should be a red flag.
Upfront Money Requests
Jobs don't ask for money. When you apply for a job, you don't have to pay a fee to be considered. Business opportunities will ask for money. If something is a work at home business and asks for money, find out the reason. Some multi-level marketing companies require you to purchase a kit of products, for instance, and this request is legitimate. When a company asks for money and cannot explain the reason or what you get for the fee (beyond information), be wary of the potential for a scam.
These red flags are just a few of the issues you should watch for when considering a work-at-home offer. Anything that seems off or cannot be explained should make you dig further.
