How to Spot Work at Home Scams

There are many legitimate companies hiring work at home individuals, but sadly, there are also many people who are out to deceive telecommuters by running bogus work at home opportunities. These are what we call work at home scams. If you're thinking of working from home, you must also learn how to protect yourself from these scams. How? Here are some tips:

• Be wary of company websites that are on free web hosting. Although there may be some legitimate companies that avail of free web hosting, most of the time a legitimate company has their own domain name, their website will look professional, well-maintained and updated.

• If the company is making outrageous claims, it probably is so. Have you seen those sites wherein the words seem to jump out at you because it's in all caps and emphasized with exclamation points? How about those which claim you can make thousands of dollars in no time doing minimal work? If a company is making outlandish claims, it probably is bogus. Remember, get rich quick schemes are scams. In the first place, if what their claiming is true, they wouldn't be wasting their time posting ads all over the Internet or sending you unsolicited emails.

• Check the contact numbers and company address. It's easy to look up their number and address to check if it's really a legitimate company. Also, be wary of a company that only lists a P.O. Box. as their mailing address.

• Take note of the contact persons. If they only listed a first name, an email address on a free email account and no contact numbers or mailing address, be cautious.

• If you have to pay to get a job, then think twice. I really don't understand the rational on having to pay someone in order to get a job. Isn't it that we need money that's why we're looking for a job? Why then should you need to pay? Shouldn't it be the other way around? There are probably legitimate company's who require you to invest a certain amount before you can start working. But most of the time, if you're required to pay before you can work, it's a scam. First of all, they should hire you based on your qualifications and credentials, not on whether you can pay their fee.

• Be cautious of unsolicited emails. We all get them; emails which claims you've been chosen for a position that would be perfect for you. If you didn't apply, how in the world would they know your qualifications? The best thing to do with these types of emails is to delete it.

• If you're unsure, ask. If you're uncertain whether a company is legitimate or not, there are many places online you can go to for advice. Work at home forums run by seasoned pros such as WAHM.com can be helpful. Also, join Yahoo groups for work at home moms and visit other websites geared towards telecommuters.

• Consult the Better Business Bureau. This is the place to go to if you want to check if a company in the US or Canada is legit or not. They have a searchable database of companies, either running a business or charity, which are legally registered. You can also file complaints if you believe you've been scammed. They also offer several tools to protect consumers such as alerts on latest scams. If a company in the US or Canada doesn't check out on the Better Business Bureau site, it probably is fraudulent.

• Listen to your inner voice. Many times I have ignored that little voice inside my head warning me not to do something and most of the time it's correct. Well, that inner voice apparently has a name - common sense.