How to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Questions to Ask

How to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Questions to AskHow to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Questions to AskIts an unfortunate truth, but when looking for a work at home job, its important to keep your guard up.In doing so, you can prevent your online job search from having the very undesirable side effect of entangling you in any one of the many work at home scams that are out there.Although thousands of companies recognize the value of having staff that work from home, it seems that there are just as many scammers who have realized that online job seekers make excellent targets for identity and financial fraud.There are two fundamental reasons why job-seekers are at high risk for a cyber scam. First, job-seekers are accustomed to giving out personal information for a job application, and they may leid realize when the line is crossed of what is normal protocol or legal to ask during the job process.Similarly, even if they suspect a question isnt legal, they may feel uncomfortable protestin g and risk losing the opportunity.Second, someone looking for a job, especially if there is any level of desperation to the job search, may be more willing to put caution to the wind in hopes that an opportunity that sounds too good to be true may in fact be real.The recent rise in unemployment has only exacerbated behauptung problems, as scammers try to capitalize on peoples more urgent need for employment. Some estimates place the number of work at home scam job listings at 40 50 scam job postings for every legitimate listing. As security expert, Robert Siciliano, CEO ofIDTheftSecurity.com, explains the current environment, There was a day when snake oil salesmen were the highest paid sales professionals in the world. Then peoplesmartenedup. Today, we are in the worst economic crisis in more than 70 years. Snake oil salesmen are back on top with noshortageof potential victims.Sara Sutton, CEO of, advises, The most important ways people can protect themselves from becoming a victi m of a work at home scam is to acknowledge that risks exist and to use caution unconditionally. Its worth protecting yourself, because being a victim of a work at home scam can have all sorts of problems, including losing time and money, getting involved in illegal activities, having their identity stolen, and ruining your credit rating.Ask yourself ansicht five questions before you apply or submit any information to a job listing.1. Is the hiring companys anthroponym listed in the job listing?Research the company. The companys website should list a mailing address and phone number. Look for additional feedback on the company positive or negative in web resources such as the Better Business Bureau, Rip Off Report, Scam Busters, and other respected websites. Also, try typing the company name plus the word scam into Google, and see what comes up.If you dont see a company name listed or can leid find information online using the company name provided in the job listing move on Its b etter to err on the side of caution than to risk sending your contact information and work history to a scammer.2. Do you need to pay to get the job?You should never pay for the opportunity to interview for a job, for training to work for a specific employer, to prove you are really interested in the job, or any other preclude to start working for a company.Having said that, some jobs may require that you supply the basic equipment you need for the job (e.g., computer, phone), especially if you are working as a freelancer or independent contractor. But, if you are required to pay for items like assembly/craft supplies or photocopies that you will use to recruit other workers, it is most likely a scam or a business opportunity.3. Does the job listing sound too good to be true?If it was easy to make thousands of dollars for a just few hours of work, everyone would be doing it Any job listing that claims that you will make significant earnings doing a minimal amount work should raise a big red warning flag.In terms of what kind of payment or salary you should expect with work at home jobs, keep in mind what you would make if it were a regular, on-site job. There may be some fluctuation higher or lower, but in most cases the pay will be pretty similar.Also, if a job listing says that you do bedrngnis need any skills, education, or prior experience, be wary.Working at home generally does require discipline and skills because you are not surrounded by colleagues or a manager that can train, mentor, and monitor your work as regularly as if you worked in the same location as them.So unless its a true entry-level job, ideally with some organized online training, its unlikely the opportunity is legitimate.4. Does the company ask you to provide your social security number, drivers license number, credit card number, or bank information?Never provide any of this information to get a job interview, before you get a job, and before you have thoroughly researched the employe r. In addition, this information should never be sent to anyone via IM, email, or an unsecured form on a website.For tax purposes, you do generally need to provide your social security number in order to be paid by a legitimate employer. But by the time you provide your social security number, you should to have a job offer in writing and complete, confirmed contact information for your new employer (full contact name, company name, website, street address, phone, and email). If you have ANY doubt about the legitimacy of this company, do not provide this information.5. Does the job sound like any of the following common work at home scams?This list includes common scams and methods that scammers often utilize. It is not an exhaustive list, but gives you an idea of what to look out for in your job search.Unsolicited contactThe employer advertises the job through an unsolicited email (spam) or by contacting you through a message on a social networking site.Job title is just work at ho me The job title is listed only as work at home, instead of a typical job title that you would see on a business card.Ambiguous job description The job listing leaves you confused and does not provide enough details to understand what the job really entails.Wire Transfer The job requires depositing money into your bank account. You keep a portion of it and write a check or transfer the rest to other accounts. The check you deposit in your account eventually bounces because it is stolen or counterfeit.Stuffing envelopes Real jobs stuffing envelopes by hand do not exist. You will be asked to post ads to recruit others for envelope stuffing jobs.Data entry If you need to pay for information about the job, training, or to get a data entry job, it is a scam. If you get the job, you will be asked to post ads to recruit others for data entry jobs or to pay for useless training.Assembly work You need to purchase supplies to make crafts. In one scam, the company tells you the assembled craft s were not done properly and they will not pay for the crafts you assembled. In another scam, you are supposed to sell the crafts, but the crafts are nothing anyone would want to buy.Multi-level Marketing (aka MLM or pyramid scheme) The business encourages you to recruit others to join the business instead of selling the companys products. The only money brought in to the business comes from new recruits purchasing training and motivational materials or products (that they have trouble, or can never, sell).Shipping Manager You receive packages of items that need to be re-packed and shipped usually to overseas addresses (aka laundering stolen goods).Rebate Processor You pay to apply and train for this job that accepts everyone who applies. The ads explain that charging applicants is a way to weed out applicants who do not really want to pursue the opportunity. Once you start the job, you lose money in additional ways.Its not hard to take steps to protect yourself from becoming a vict im of a work at home scam. The bottom line is that youalwaysneed to be careful andneverfall for anything that sounds too good to be true.Related ArticleHow to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Precautions to Take