Common Work-Related Scams

If you have considered working from home, you have no doubt encountered scams. Unfortunately they are as abundant online as off. The slightest bit of research will reveal these common scams, but perhaps you are still curious. Why is envelope stuffing a scam? It sounds legitimate, and these companies exist and seem to flourish. Perhaps you have been tempted to try one of these scams "just to see." Here are five of the most common work at home scams and why you should stay away.

Envelope Stuffing

Why would a company pay you to stuff envelopes for them, especially with machines that do that work? They wouldn't! Here's the gist of the envelope stuffing scam:

You send in $5 with the flyer you saw. The company sends you more flyers to put up. You have others stuff their envelopes with $5 to send you in exchange for more flyers. You simply make money from convincing other people that you have a legitimate opportunity. You become the scammer.

Data Entry

The term "data entry" is a generic one many scammers use to get people with basic computer skills interested in their job. The positions sound legitimate. The company sends you information, which you type in and return. The problem is that they aren't real. Data entry jobs use one of a couple of scamming tactics. Some are selling workbooks that tell you about how to find home-based businesses. Others want you to engage in spamming or sending junk mail to others. If you consider a data entry position, know that it's most likely fake. Ask as many questions as possible to find out if you've found one of the small number that are real jobs.

Mail Handler

Okay, here's the deal. The United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, and all of the other packaging and mailing companies out there hire people through open and direct methods. They don't ask recruiters to find people through vague classified ads. These "make thousands delivering packages" jobs are not legitimate. The scammer is asking you to pay for application and testing packages that are available for free! The same concept applies to lists of survey research and other companies.

Online Sales

Companies asking you to repackage and sell their stuff through online auctions are scammers at best and criminals at worst. These people are using creative ways to get you to traffic in stolen goods. Person A steals 10 necklaces from a local jewelry shop. He sends it to you because you responded to his ad. Then you open the package, list the necklaces online, sell them, and ship them. Then the police show up at your door because you sold the stolen necklaces. Don't fall for this scam! It could cost you more than money!

Should you encounter something you believe is a scam or that appears too simple, do a search on the idea. You should be able to find explanations for why the given system is a scam. Don't fall prey to these Internet predators!