Many of us are looking for ways to supplement (or even replace) our
working income. A simple internet search will produce a myriad of "too
good to be true" options. BEWARE!
Here are some of the less reputable "Earn money from home" opportunities.
1. Typing At Home / Data Entry
One of the most commonly found "work from home" opportunities found online or in your local paper. After
sending the fee for "more information" (usually around $40) you receive
an email that tells you to place the same ad (the one you responded to)
in local newspapers and the many free-online classified ad websites.
You place your link, directing them to your version of the same website
you signed up through, and you receive a small percentage of the sign-up
costs.
2. Medical Billing
In this
opportunity, you are likely to pay $300-$900 for everything (allegedly)
you need to start your own medical billing service at home. For this,
you expect to receive state-of-the-art medical billing software, as well
as a list of potential clients in your area. What you're not told is
that most medical clinics process their own bills, or outsource the
processing to firms, not individuals. Your software may not meet their
specifications, and often the lists of "potential clients" are outdated
or just plain wrong.
3. Email/Rebate Processing
This
is a twist on the classic "envelope stuffing scam" (see below). For a
low price ($40) you can become a "highly-paid" email processor working
"from the comfort of your own home". What you get for your money are
instructions on spamming the same ad you responded to in newsgroups and
Web forums!
4. "A List of Companies Looking for Home workers!"
You
pay a small fee for a list of companies looking for home workers just
like you. The list is usually a generic list of companies, which
includes companies that don't take home workers, or companies that may
once have accepted home workers.
5. "Call This 1-900 Number For More Information..."
Simple enough, They make their money from your call.
6. Craft Assembly
This
opportunity encourages you to assemble toys, dolls, or other craft
projects at home with the promise of high per-piece rates. You pay a fee
up-front for the starter kit, which includes instructions and parts.
Sounds good? Well, once you finish assembling your first batch of
crafts, you'll likely to be told by the company time and time again that
they "don't meet our specifications." It is unlikely that you will get
paid.
7. "Turn Your Computer Into a Money-Making Machine!"
Similar
to the above. Once you pay your money, you'll be sent instructions on
how to place ads and find other to "turn their computers into
money-making machines."
8. Pyramid Schemes (this is NOT the same as Multi-Level Marketing MLM)
Unlike
the many legitimate Network Marketing or MLM businesses (Amway, Mary
Kay, Arbonne etc) which involve agents/associates selling products or
services, these pyramid schemes have no product or service. People get paid from recruiting others in to the business. Stay away from these they are illegal.
9. Chain Letters/Emails ("Make Money Fast")
All
you have to do is send the email along plus some money by mail to the
top names on the list, then add your name to the bottom. This is a
classic pyramid scheme and is also illegal!
10. Envelope Stuffing
This is THE classic work-at-home scam (It's been around since the U.S. Depression of the 1920s and 1930s) There
are several variations, but most offer to pay $1-2 for every envelope
you stuff. When you send your money, you get a short manual or email
with flyer telling you to advertising the same thing. As you can
see, many of these opportunities are a variation on the same theme. Be
very careful when researching or investing your time and money in this
area.
If you are looking for a home based "job" you have less
options available to you, but if you are looking for a home based
"business" there are plenty more to choose from. Remember,
legitimate home businesses will have some small costs involved. $50 -
$1500 is the norm. My advise DO NOT PAY a penny until you have received
all the information and spoken to a real person.
