Avoiding Work at Home Scams
As stated in an earlier article, working from home can be very rewarding for many people. As America becomes more energy conscious and more family conscious, there are more and more employers offering this opportunity.
Not all work at home jobs are scams. Conversely, not all work at home jobs are legitimate. If you have decided that you have what it takes personality-wise and skill set-wise to be a candidate for working from home, then you will need to be aware that there are some jobs out there which are not legitimate.
The best way to avoid the potential scam job is to be more aware of the legitimate companies that offer this opportunity and to be aware of what they offer. Here are a few guidelines:
Is the company legitimate?
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Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for your area
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Do some internet searches to see what others have said about them
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Check with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website. You can do searches for press release or other information on any employer you are considering
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Visit Fraud.org – they should also be able to inform you of civil and criminal complaints – existence or non-existence of for your prospective employer.
Is the work legit?
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If you need to fork over a sizable amount of cash, it is not a legitimate job, but it may possibly still be a legitimate work opportunity. If you are looking for a job, then you shouldn’t have to pay to start.
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Ask a few questions, such as:
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What tasks will you be performing?
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The tasks should not include the use of your bank account, your credit card, or paypal account.
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Is the pay a salary or commission?
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Salary or commission is acceptable or a combination – as long as the commission structure is sound and does not have a long list of qualifiers before you finally get it!
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In some scenarios operating as an independent is also acceptable, but keep in mind you will need to do your own tax accounting and set asides. (positions like professional writers, bookkeepers, etc. are often “1099 employees”.)
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How often do you get paid and who pays you?
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Pay should be routine (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or upon invoice submission if you are 1099) and it should be coming from the company that plans on hiring you.
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How do you get paid?
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At first, it had better be a paycheck that you can come to the office to pick up, or have mailed to you.
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After time, and once you’ve satisfied yourself that you are working with a legitimate company, if they offer direct deposit, then you can sign up for that program.
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You should not be paid in cash!
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With a little research and common sense, you should be able to find a legitimate position with a legitimate company and enjoy the pleasure of working from your own home.