How to Avoid Scams

I have been writing for at least a year now and found that many companies want money up front. That is scam to be because a company or website should want to hire you not the other way around. Warning sign is being asked for money up front to learn the details of a job. And if the compensation promised seems out of proportion to the skill level required, be wary. Scams are out there no matter what you want to buy, sell, or look around for. Not all home-based job offers are misleading, of course; many highly reputable businesses employ at-home workers. But if an obscure company is aggressively pitching high-paying jobs, look out. Do you enjoy shopping? Look into becoming a secret shopper. Do you like to cook? What about being a personal chef? Are you interested in decorating? What about working as a salesperson for one of the many at-home business opportunities that offer decorating products?

Some scam jobs that are out there are:

Stuffing envelopes
Craft assembly jobs
Medical billing and coding
Telemarketing

Don't be fooled by ads claiming you can make large amounts of money in short periods of time. And be cautious of companies that require you to sign up immediately. Usually if it sounds too good to be true; it probably is. Don't invest in any opportunity that you are not sure about. Instead, find something that you are interested in and will enjoy doing. (Do what you love, and the money will follow.) Do not spend your last dollar on work-at-home opportunities.

How to avoid scams:

*Get references who are part of the organization. Call them and talk to them. Investigate yourself and see if it is legit.

*If the amount you are asked to pay is over $50, pay by credit card. All credit card companies insure amounts over $50 and if you have a complaint, call or write to your credit card company to handle the problem. Hold onto your receipt.

*Stay away from vague promises. There is one company who offers to send you data entry work from home. That is ALL they say! Unbelievably, a LOT of people respond to their ads, because they are hitting on the emotions of moms who desperately want to stay home and work. They make you pay a fee and never send you work. Moms who stay home look for these jobs because it is suppose to be a good paying job.

The reality of success for an entrepreneur is a lot of sweat equity and a little bit of luck. I work at least 10 hours a day in my search for success. It is not all at one time because I am being a dad most of the time. But, we have structured our days around the kids' schedule and I work when I can. Work is hard whether you work from 9 to 5 or stay at home doing it. I am often interrupted and most of the time am multi-tasking while trying to finish just one thing. But, I am flexible enough to allow my children to determine my schedule and work will come in time. They come first no matter what.