Work-At-Home Scams, Don’t Be a Victim

If you are hoping to work from home you may be scouring advertisements in the paper, magazines or online. It does not matter where you find the advertisement, you should take care not to become a victim of a work-at-home scam.

Most people will shy away from any advertisement that proclaims itself to be a multilevel marketing or MLM business, but you should be aware that all multilevel marketing is not bad; you should also be aware that all companies that use the right words and seem speak directly to you are not always on the up-and-up. You must do your homework before joining any organization that promises that you can work from home and make big bucks in a few days or a week. You should be wary if you have to send them money, even a dollar, before the company will give you any information. Any advertisement that concentrates you recruiting people to join your “downline” rather than focusing on the product should be a warning that you need to read the offer more than once before signing any document that may bind you to the company.

We have all seen the advertisement that almost shout at you “Earn thousands of dollars a month from your home!” This type of solicitation is not only in newspapers and magazine, they are often posted on telephone poles and the Internet. It sounds great, and if you are desperate to earn money, these can be very enticing lures, but the Federal Trade Commission recommends exercising caution when it comes to any work-at-home opportunities. The FTC warns that many of these companies don’t deliver on their promises.

Many of these ads do not disclose is that you may have to work many hours without pay or that you will have to pay for the materials you need to accomplish the job, such as envelopes, paper, stamps, or other supplies. Consumers lose money to companies like these, then have no recourse on recovery of their money or time wasted and energy spent.

Before accepting a work-at-home job, ask questions like these to determine the legitimacy of the offer and the appropriateness of it for you. Write down every question you can think of before you make that telephone call. Some of your questions should be:

• What does the job entail? Can you describe the process step by step?
• Who will be my contact with your organization?
• How is the compensation determined: Is it a salary? Piecework? Commission?
• Who will pay me?
• When may I expect my first paycheck?
• What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment, and membership fees? And what will I get for my money?

Do remember to check with your local Better Business Bureau to find out if the company has any action taken against it.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. Federal Trade Commission Facts for consumers. USA only.