| Like clockwork, every morning I scan my favorite | | | | next work at home job opportunities pitch is |
| online news sources to update myself on the | | | | scam-free? |
| "goings-on" of the world. Yesterday was no different. | | | | Scam-free Work at Home Jobs Checklist |
| More bailouts, bungles and blunders. Hmm...seemed not | | | | |
| much had really changed overnight. Then my eye | | | | 1. Get to know the Seller If you're unfamiliar with the |
| caught an ad embedded in a story about the dismal | | | | group that's pitching the business opportunity or work |
| state of the global economy. | | | | at home job, make sure you do some online research. |
| Headline read, "Scam-Free Work at Home Jobs! No | | | | Using your favorite search engine, type in the name of |
| Experience Necessary! Act now!" | | | | the seller and see what results come back. You can |
| That got me thinking, how many people actually fall for | | | | also type in the seller's name plus the word "feedback." |
| these ads? You know those blatant, in-your-face ads | | | | Visit forums and blogs in the related industry. Post |
| with claims that can't be true and "call to actions" that | | | | questions. Ask webmasters. Typically, people are |
| force you to stop whatever you're doing to give full | | | | more than happy to provide advice and feedback. |
| attention to this "once-in-a-lifetime offer." | | | | 2. Verify Contact Information Look for a contact link in |
| Let me ask you. Have you ever forked out money for | | | | the navigation menu or in the footer. Legitimate |
| something that sounded like a good product or service | | | | companies have links to real contact information |
| to someone who seemed like a nice person and | | | | including an email address, business address and |
| avoided that nagging voice in your head that said, | | | | phone number. Is there an email address; what kind is |
| "Sounds too good to be true!?" | | | | it? Be careful if it is a gmail, yahoo, hotmail or other |
| You did? | | | | free email account. Legitimate companies usually have |
| Then what happened? Let me guess. You get the | | | | their own domain (e.g., businessname.com) though it is |
| product. It's not even close to what was described, | | | | no guarantee of legitimacy. |
| doesn't do half of what the expert testimonials claimed | | | | 3. Know What You're Getting Request a sneak peek |
| it would. And, you know that 100% money-back | | | | of what you're buying. If it's an information product, ask |
| guarantee? It isn't worth a dime when the seller goes | | | | to see a sample. If it's an ebook, ask for the table of |
| AWOL. | | | | contents. If it's an online service or software, maybe |
| Then anxiety rushes in and you realize - scam, | | | | there's a demo, a trial, or a video review. |
| internet...I've been had. | | | | 4. Pay Using Installments Frequently more expensive |
| I'll let you in on a little secret. You're not alone. A lot of | | | | products offer the option of paying with installments. If |
| people fall for those ads...hardworking, sensible people | | | | you're unfamiliar with what you're buying or from |
| who for the most part aren't looking to become | | | | whom you are buying, always choose this option. |
| millionaires. They just want a little slice of their own pie, | | | | Although you may end up paying a bit more than the |
| to take control of their life and provide a comfortable | | | | one payment price, it gives you the chance of seeing |
| lifestyle for their family. | | | | what you're buying, before you risk the entire amount |
| But the truth is, people do fall for the ads. That's why | | | | on a product that doesn't measure up. |
| scammers keep running them. And people keep falling | | | | 5. Effectively Manage PayPal Subscriptions If you're |
| for them. And admittedly, I've fallen for them myself. | | | | paying by installments and using PayPal, make sure |
| Let's see, there was that home business membership | | | | you cancel the subscription after the final installment. If |
| site that was pitched to make you millions and when I | | | | not, this leaves you open to the risk of unauthorized |
| finally got the chance to peek inside (after forking over | | | | additional installments taken from your account. |
| more than a $1000), there was nothing there. No | | | | 6. Don't Use PayPal if Unfamiliar With the Seller or |
| articles, no content, nada...in fact the only thing that was | | | | Service The dispute process is always much easier |
| there was an affiliate link to sign up other suckers like | | | | and the outcome usually much better when you |
| me. | | | | dispute charges with credit card companies vs. PayPal. |
| And then there was the year-long "search engine | | | | I don't know why. Maybe it's because credit card |
| domination" service using Web 2.0 methods, promising | | | | companies have been at it longer; the process is |
| never-before released marketing techniques and new | | | | predictable, straightforward. Although PayPal is a great |
| content added to the site throughout the year. Sure, | | | | service, this is definitely an area where it needs to |
| there was content added to this "bare bones" website, | | | | improve. |
| but much of it was generated by users trying out the | | | | 7. Contact When Seller is Unresponsive to Your |
| techniques. Occasionally, there was a lame | | | | Complaints |
| "inspirational" 5 minute audio clip recorded in the guru's | | | | 8. - Better Business Bureau |
| car as he was off to put together another deal. Oh, | | | | 9. - USPS Fraud Inspection Service |
| brother. But I should have known something was up | | | | 10. - Federal Trade Commission If you're unable to find |
| when during that first mastermind the "guru" explained | | | | the seller's contact information (which you'll need to file |
| call protocol...absolutely no negative comments or the | | | | a report with the above agencies), try your PayPal |
| call would end immediately. | | | | receipt or call PayPal directly, search the WhoIs |
| How stupid could I be? Turns out, pretty stupid. It | | | | Lookup (which provides information on domain |
| wasn't enough that I wasted $1500 on this pathetic | | | | ownership), review emails you might have received |
| excuse for a mastermind program, but what really | | | | from the guru, or search for the seller's name using |
| took the cake was when he took an additional $500 | | | | your favorite search engine. |
| from my PayPal account (which I later recovered). | | | | The #1 guaranteed way of never becoming a victim |
| And then there's the countless other home business | | | | to a job or business opportunity scam again - know |
| programs stacked up in my office, doing nothing but | | | | from whom you are buying. If you do your homework |
| gathering dust. | | | | and take the necessary steps as outlined above, you |
| So what have I learned over the years that will keep | | | | can be virtually certain that the "scam-free" work at |
| you from becoming a victim to another online home | | | | home jobs you are considering are just |
| business scam? What can you do to ensure that the | | | | that...scam-free. |