If you’ve had an email address for any length of time, and especially if you’ve used that email address to register access “member-only” websites, you’ve probably received offers to embark on an exciting, well-paying career working from your home.
These ads are designed to appeal to those who, for any number of reasons, spend their days at home rather than out and about in the world.
This includes the chronically ill, the disabled, and the long-term, frustratingly unemployed.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of such offers are nothing but scams, and a good many of those are also illegal.
To help you avoid the temptation to fall for one of these scams, here are a few “red flags” that typically indicate that the “exciting offer” is nothing but a scam, where the only person making any money at all is the scammer.
Those who fall for the pitch end up disappointed, even more deeply in the red, and often ducking into the neighborhood pawn shop or seeking out payday loans, just to make up for the money they paid to be fleeced.
Red flag #1
You have to pay before you can earn.
By far the most popular scam is the “make big bucks stuffing envelopes” offer.
What you’ll be stuffing are envelopes, and what you’ll be stuffing them with are flyers, inviting others to make big bucks stuffing envelopes at home.
All you’ll get in return for your up-front fee is a template for the flyers you’ll be stuffing and sending out, and odds are that it will be a cheesy looking flyer as well.
You’ll not even make your fee back, and may also leave yourself liable for prosecution for perpetuating a pyramid scheme.
Red flag #2
The company pitching the offer is slippery on details.
If the offer comes from an individual with no company identified, it’s likely to be either the head scammer, or just another sucker, trying to get his or her fee back.
If there’s a company name, check it out. If not, just check out, period.
Common sense should rule. You wouldn’t purchase a car from anyone who refuses to give you even basic information about themselves.
Those who offer you a career path shouldn’t be less transparent.
Red flag #3
The promises seem too good to be true.
In virtually every instance, they are.
Ask yourself if there is any way imaginable to earn those big bucks for doing the simple tasks described in the pitch. No? Walk away.
At least you won’t risk going to prison for being a scammer yourself.
Problems arise for workers resigned to get-rich quick schemes. There is value to being in the right place at the right time, but more often than not; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Long term financial success builds on skills and commitments developed and maintained over time, rather than instant returns from limited efforts.
You may indeed hit a home run with a no-hassle money-making offer, but keeping a back-up plan ensures you’ll stay out of financial trouble.
Education and dedication are stepping stones to career growth, so use your long-term vision to keep advancing your economic status.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
