| There are currently hundreds, if not thousands, of | | | | has any comments on Rip-Off Report. |
| work-at-home (WAH) opportunities floating around on | | | | The two biggest Scams I think you should stay away |
| the internet, in magazines, newspapers, and on TV | | | | from. |
| commercials. With so much information and | | | | 1. Envelope Stuffing: There are many different |
| opportunities floating around, how do you weed out the | | | | companies and ads all over the place for this type of |
| real ones and/or identify the scams? | | | | scam. [Please note: I have attempted envelope stuffing |
| Currently, the most popular methods of working from | | | | once in the past. I cannot say they are all scams |
| home being advertised usually fall into one of these 3 | | | | because I haven't tried them all.] |
| categories (in my opinion): SCAM, Telecommuting (or | | | | The ad: Stuff envelopes from home and make xx |
| other usually REAL, Legitimate) Positions, or Business | | | | amount of money per envelope. |
| Opportunities. | | | | The Skinny: I sent in my processing fee (which usually |
| Most of the ads you will see circling the net are either | | | | is in the $30-$50 range). A few weeks later, I received |
| SCAMS or for Business Opportunities. I hate to even | | | | a letter from some company that basically wanted me |
| put those two words next to each other because | | | | to sell canvas paintings. The way I would get paid for |
| most Business Opportunities are not scams. Nine (9) | | | | stuffing the envelope is for commission on a sale. |
| times out of Ten (10) the reason that you are seeing | | | | Lost: $30 |
| these ads are because of the keywords you are | | | | 2. Data Entry: These ads are everywhere! Luckily, I did |
| searching for (whether online or in the paper | | | | my research and got a response from an honest lady, |
| magazine). I will go into detail about this a bit more | | | | so I didn't actually lose any money on this one. (Please |
| shortly. For now, I would like to share with you what | | | | note: There are legit data entry J.O.B.s which you will |
| some of the most common scams are and, hopefully, | | | | be able to find, see below). |
| teach you how to identify them and then avoid them | | | | The ad: Get paid for doing data entry from home. You |
| like the plague (or Bird Flu)! | | | | will be paid xx (usually $15-$30) for each application |
| When trying to decide if an ad you are reading about | | | | that you process. |
| working from home is legitimate, some of the following | | | | The Skinny: I replied to this ad and asked the lady how |
| rules apply: | | | | exactly we got paid. She was kind enough to explain |
| 1. First: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. | | | | (before I sent money) that once you paid your |
| 2. Second: Check to see if the company has contact | | | | processing fee, you were to place ads on as many |
| information. And check to see if the contact info | | | | sites as possible (similar to the one above). This was |
| actually works - send an email with a bogus message | | | | the data entry part. Then you would get paid (usually |
| or call the phone number (if listed). Then, check to see | | | | $15-$30) for each person that signs up to do data |
| if the company is listed with the Better Business | | | | entry. They also tell you this is 100% legal! |
| Bureau (not always necessary). You can also look to | | | | Almost lost: $15. |
| see if the company or product you are interested in | | | | |