Work at Home Scams: Beware of of Online Con-Men

Warning signs and a list of the top ten work at home scams are described.

Unfortunately in the work at home industry there are scammers standing in the wings waiting to take your money and run, leaving you a victim of some of a scam. Even with all the warning flags flying everywhere, people are still taken every day. It’s a scammer’s paradise in the work at home industry. Many people are desperate, given the state of our economy, for money today and are even more susceptible to well known scams. The old saying holds true with anything “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”

The home based business is thriving today and there is money to be made, you just need to be cautious as you enter the business. Here are a few tips to avoid being taken in work at home scams:

• Know who you are dealing with at all times – typical scams in this area include companies that promise to hire you when you complete their training program
• Big profits do not happen overnight – just like any other business it takes hard work and dedicated service
• Beware of unsolicited e-mails offering work at home opportunities
• Payment for services – scammers are vague and hard to pin down details
• Customers are waiting for you – a typical scammers claim, so ask who they are contact for information. Beware through contact information may be part of the scam
• Get references – along with Better Business Bureau reports
• Know the Licensing requirements for your anticipated home based business – so that you can detect scammers
• Equipment and Supplies – what are their refund policies, no policy may equal scam
• Envelop stuffing – just avoid because you may get caught up in illegal activity
• Paying you money in advance – a possible money scam, just avoid

Legitimate companies that work with home based businesses are strait forward with you regarding expectations, payment, type of work, and are willing to provide references, along with other clients to contact when asked. The following are the top ten and best known work at home scams today:

1. Envelop Stuffing
2. Chain Letters/E-mails
3. Multi-Level Marketing – Pyramids
4. Turn your computer into a money making machine
5. Typing at home
6. Just call 1-900…. for more information
7. A list of companies looking for at home workers
8. E-mail Processing
9. Medical Billing
10. Craft assembly

Why are they the top ten, because they still work today? People fall for these regularly and scammers are fully aware of it. Professional scammers switch back and forth from one scheme to another to keep from being caught. They are the online con-man.

There are many more that are close to the top ten, for example: mystery shopper and others. They are very happy to separate you from your money. These are the people that they typically prey on, others who are not listed fall victim as well:

• Sick, disabled, and elderly
• Stay at home mothers
• Low or no income families
• Under educated

There are many legitimate businesses that look for home based businesses to complete their work and/or services. Just do your homework, be careful, and you will be successful.