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Get a home-based job without getting scammed

Written by: Jill Hart

Article Overview: Although it can be hard to tell fact from fiction, it is possible. Many excellent work-at-home opportunities are available. And, it’s well worth the time to explore them so you can start your own business and enjoy the many benefits it provides. Following are several tips to avoid work-at-home scams.

Get a home-based job without getting scammed

Working from home is a great way to supply the extra income a family needs so that one spouse can stay home and raise the children. But many people are scared away from doing so because of the scams that are prevalent today.

Although it can be hard to tell fact from fiction, it is possible. Many excellent work-at-home opportunities are available. And, it’s well worth the time to explore them so you can start your own business and enjoy the many benefits it provides. Following are several tips to avoid work-at-home scams.

When researching companies that hire home-based workers, the best place to start is the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which can provide information on disputes or other problems involving a potential employer.

You’ll want to look for a pattern of “unresolved” or “unanswered” disputes, which will be an indication that there is a problem with the company in question. By the way, complaints can be filed against a company whether it’s a member of the BBB or not.

Next, perform an Internet search on the company you’re checking out to see what others are saying. If you see a pattern of negative comments, often that’s an indication that you may need to explore the company in more detail.

There also are Web sites such as BBBonline.com that will tell you some of the common scams around, including the “work-from-home typing” scam.

Operators of scams often lure job seekers with promotions such as the ability to earn $35,000 a year, or a promise to provide a list of companies that will hire them.

Diana Ennen, author of Virtual Assistant: The Series has been a home-based word processor more than 20 years. Ennen states, “Working at home as a typist is an excellent opportunity that often only requires excellent secretarial skills. However, be cautious of offers guaranteeing a list of companies that will hire you. The truth of the matter is that most of these companies aren’t even aware they are on this list. There’s so much information available online today that there is no need to fall for this scam.”

It’s also important to know the difference between paying for information about working from home and actually investing in a home-based business. Most home-based businesses, such as direct sales companies, are valid ways to make an income. However, because you need to make an initial investment many people are confused and believe these to be scams as well.

Think about home-based businesses in terms of your local fast-food chain. A fast-food restaurant will pay you if it hires you as an employee. However, in order to start your own franchise of that same restaurant, you would need to make a monetary investment.

The same holds true when you begin a home-based business. You must make an investment, but in return you receive the means to begin your own business—generally the paperwork needed, marketing materials, and product for display.

Still, you must do your research when considering a home-based business. It’s important to know things like the history of the company, its reputation, how many representatives are in your area, and what quotas must be met.

Whether considering a telecommuting position or a home-based business, speak to others who have worked with the company you are contemplating. Ask for references of other employees/business owners in your area.

There are many legitimate ways to work from home, but when seeking a work-at-home opportunity, it’s important to take your time and do your research.

Unfortunately, there are people who make it their primary goal to take money from the unsuspecting. If you are thorough in your examination, you will not become one of their victims. Remember the ages-old saying that still holds true today: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

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Article Tags: BBB, Better Business Bureau, company, home based business



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How can you distinguish real from fake opportunities? - No one wants to be scammed, so if you're a new online marketer, how can you distinguish real from fake opportunities to earn money? What are some key signs that it's a scam?
Re: Ever been scammed... - Sometimes it's just too hard to avoid being scammed. People are thinking of new ways to get one-up on you, and will always try to take advantage of a vulnerable customer. All I can advise is that you appear as confident as possible when speaking to traders etc, so they don't feel an inclination to try and rip you off. If someone spots an opportunity, they are more than likely to take it.
people scammed out of money - Yes, thousands of people are scammed out of money by firms that "market" and "promote" their inventions. I want to know how many of those victims are on this list and whether they will share their stories. This phenomenon has been well documented by the USPTO.
Kathie from Melbourne, Australia - Hello everyone, I've been a contributing author for quite sometime with Evan Carmichael but only recently became aware of this forum - I didn't know it existed. I'm a mother of 5 daughters and wife of Graham. We live in Melbourne, Australia. My business was begun early 1994 fulltime from home so I could be here with our girls as they were growing up. I began a homebased secretarial business which became a Virtual Assistant business and network as the internet took hold in the business world. Today I manage a network of VAs in 15 countries. Blogging became the perfect outlet for me as I'm an avid writer so I write several blogs, have authored some books as well and periodically do articles for printed publications and online ezines and newsletters. Finally I've recently entered the speaking 'circuit' speaking at conferences, seminars and teleseminars, mainly in Australia but have begun to do a few teleseminars and radio shows for the US. I've just been asked to do my first 'physical presence' conference in Canada in 2009 which I am quite excited about.
Re: How Much Do You Need To Start? - Starting an online company and business does not require too much money. Generally, 500$ is normal to start an online business. I personally have spent 1800$ to start my home business, because I got scammed a lot. Start-up capital also depends on how much an entrepreneur is going to make from his business. What is his goal for a year? It is important


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