WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS

WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS
Work-at-home and business opportunity scams are often advertised as paid work from home. After the would-be worker applies, they are asked for money up-front to pay for materials and, after paying, they hear nothing back.

A variation of this is, people are asked to invest in a business that has little chance of success.

How to check out a work from home scam

* Contact the Better Business Bureau to determine the legitimacy of the company.
* Be suspicious when money is required up front for instructions or products.
* Don’t provide personal information when first interacting with your prospective employer.
* Do your own research into legitimate work-at-home opportunities, using the “Work-at-Home Sourcebook” and other resources that may be available at your local library.
* Ask lots of questions of potential employers—legitimate companies will have answers for you!
o Ask for a street address, not just a PO Box, and find out as much as you can about the company and its operations.
o Ask to talk to other employees - and to ensure they are for real, visit them to see what type of work is involved and how they are organized.
o Ask to see examples of the final product and the work required.
o Ask what materials are supplied, or not supplied.
o Ask how you will be paid - and in what currency.
o Ask where the business is incorporated and where it's business license is filed.
* Research the product - is it a viable money-maker, and are the proposed returns achievable?
* Do the math - ask yourself whether the time required to do the job, in conjunction with the start up or material costs, match the returns to be expected.
* Use common-sense: if you have never heard of the product, or their products are very expensive or there is a fee to sign up as a "distributor" or "consultant", those are tips that it is a multi-level-marketing scam.