With the development of technology and the Internet, an endless list of job opportunities are opened with just one click of a button. Additionally, with the easy access to different media nowadays, anybody could post advertisements in magazines and newspapers. Despite all the benefits that society could get from these advances, there are still some things that you should be wary of.
There are different kinds of scams, but the most popular one would be work at home scams. Scam artists love to target people who have a need, such as jobs. And what more tempting way could they entice people than by offering them lucrative work at home opportunities, right?
Popular Work At Home Scams
The most popular kinds of work at home scam opportunities are envelope stuffing and crafts making. They are the most rampant offline work at home opportunities and are obviously directed to target housewives looking for a good way to earn money even if they are simply staying at home. Here are the things you need to know about these scams and how to avoid them.
Envelope Stuffing Scams
Envelope stuffing scams are usually advertised like this:
"Get paid $5 per envelope you stuff! Hurry limited slots available!"
Although most advertisements and opportunities like these look legitimate and seem like e good way to make easy money, they are not.
The harsh reality is: You cannot make money out of stuffing envelopes. To make it precise, you cannot earn thousands of dollars by doing what the ad says. It is impossible. Obviously, companies that promote advertisements like these simply want to entice you to contact them and inquire about the offer.
The scam works like this: The scam artist would place an ad on the local paper. They offer people a great way to earn by working at home via their envelope stuffing company.
Before you get to learn more about the details of the job, they ask you to pay a small fee. They usually reason out that they ask fees to weed out the curious from the serious. In exchange for the fee they give you training documents that you would need in order to start working. After you send the fee, they’d do their part of the deal and send you the so-called documents and information.
Once you open the instruments they sent, you will find a step by step instructional handout in the form of an E-book or print, that tells you how you can start. Much to your dismay, all it will instruct you to do is post another advertisement on the Internet or on the local paper that is similar to the advertisement that you responded to.
In effect, you would also ask for a fee from those that would reply to your posted ad. This is how you can earn. Basically, you become part of their scam operation.
Craft And Assembly Scams
This time around, companies will not offer you positions stuffing envelopes, but rather a position creating some hand crafts or assemble some products at home. The terms are usually like this. You create the pieces and send it to them for approval. After getting approved, you get paid.
Similar to envelope stuffing, they ask for a fee. This time it is not small. You have to pay quite an expensive amount in exchange for the kits and materials they send you.
For example, if you are making pot holders, they will ask you to buy their sewing machine. Plus, you should also buy the cloth from them with other accessories that they say you need.
Sad to say, offers like these are not legitimate. What they are selling to you are simply overpriced materials. Plus, your works would never pass their so-called inspection. In short, you don’t get paid for your work or effort.
Other Crafts Scams
Other than making pot holders, there are also other kinds of assembly scams. Some companies ask you to make jewelry, home ornaments, mini-furniture and doll accessories. They all practically have the same mode of operation as the one mentioned above.
How To Avoid Them
You can avoid being victimized by asking them important questions like the specifics of the job, compensation arrangements, who’s going to pay you and when are you going to get paid. You can also check their reputation by asking the Federal Consumer Protection Agency.
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