Working from home, setting your own hours, and basically being your own boss sounds like a dream come true, right? For many, it can be, but for others, it is more like a nightmare because they fell for online scams.
There are many legitimate work-from-home opportunities online, but you need to know where to look. You also need to know what to be aware of when it comes to online scams to ensure you don’t get caught up in one.
Today we will look at the various signs indicating that a remote job is a scam and potential scams to watch out for. Let’s get started.
If It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
There are some job offers online that sound like fantastic opportunities. The pay is high, you don’t have to work many hours to earn a lot of money, etc.
But, on the other hand, the company may offer amazing perks or an excellent position that you aren’t even qualified for. When you see such offers, it is best to research them to ensure they are legitimate. Otherwise, it is probably better to walk away and look for something else.
You Can’t Find Background Info on the Company
You should have no problem finding information online if a company is legitimate. However, it is definitely a red flag if you can’t find enough, or in some cases, any information.
You may find a website, but if it is vague, chances are it isn’t legitimate. Scammers often use such vague descriptions to fool people into thinking the company is legitimate when it actually is not.
There Are Warnings About the Company Online
If you are interested in an online job, use a search engine to look up the company or employer. Unfortunately, you may find in the search results that many people who the employer has already tried to scam and have published warnings.
So any time you see job boards and warnings about a particular employer, be wary. Another thing to look for is bad online reviews about the employer.
The Employer Seems Too Eager to Hire
You usually won’t get an immediate response when applying for jobs. This is because legitimate employers are very busy and have other work to finish before they can get back to you.
On the other hand, if they respond immediately and then start pressuring you to accept the job, or if they are willing to hire you even if you don’t have the right qualifications, chances are it’s a scam.
They Ask For Payment For You to Work
No legitimate employer will ask you to pay them. Even if you need specific equipment, they will either tell you that you will need to buy it at your own expense or that they will reimburse you.
A legitimate employer will never ask you to send them money for the necessary equipment to do the job. If they do, it’s a good indication that they are trying to scam you. Remember, they are supposed to pay you, not the other way around.
Problems With Communication
The correspondence should be professional and well-written if you communicate with a potential employer via email. If there are spelling or punctuation errors, it is a good sign that the offer is a scam.
One of the first things to look at is the email address. Make sure it is not a generic, G-mail address but one linked to the company.
Potential Work-From-Home Scams to Avoid
Let’s take a look at some of the most common work-from-home scams to be aware of.
Bad Checks
A common scam sees “employers” sending a check for more than what they owe you. They pretend they have made a mistake and tell you to send the difference back to them before cashing their check.
Once you do as they request and try to cash their check, it will likely bounce. Now they have your money, and you are left holding a fake check.
Work Part-Time for Full-Time Income
If it seems too good to be true, chances are it is. For example, if an employer offers full-time income for part-time work, it is a good sign that this is a scam.
While it may sound like a dream come true, it could quickly become a nightmare. On the other hand, if an employer is legit, they will pay you for what you are worth, and that is what you should expect.
They Want You to Recruit Others
In most cases, multi-level marketing companies are not legitimate. While some are, it can be tough to weed through all of them to find the good ones.
The not-so-great companies will woo you with great benefits if you promise to recruit more workers. They tell you how much money you could be making if you have X number of people under you rather than what you likely will make.
They Charge a Training Fee
You may find companies that offer ways for you to enhance your business skills. They will show how their resources, courses, etc., can help you to grow your business.
The catch is they want you to pay for these services. They will pay you during training if a company wants you to work for them.
Conclusion
Working from home can be ideal for stay-at-home mothers, retirees, etc. But you must do your due diligence and research potential companies before signing on with them. It is often best to work through a freelancing agency, such as Upwork or Fiverr, where you know your payments will be guaranteed and you won’t get scammed.
