These homebased scams should be avoided at all costs.These homebased scams should be avoided at all costs. Whether you are from the U.S., Canada or any other country that allow homebased businesses. You need to understand,although there are many good legitimate opportunities, on the flip side are as many con artist. Many ads scream "work at home" make $3000 a week!" The only people making money off these "home business" opportunities are the scammers. You like myself at one time may have lost a lot of money and became discouraged. Take a look at these and see if you recognize them.
"Envelope stuffing work at home opportunities ."The catch: You can be taught how to make money by stuffing envelopes in the comfort of your home.(For a small fee)The truth: For that start up fee, more than likely, you will be given a letter recommending that you place the exact ad you received in newspapers or magazines. You will have the "privilege" of paying for the ad to place it into the newspaper or magazine. You make money by cheating others who respond to your ad. "Assembly or craft work at home opportunities ."The catch :By creating things which the company buys back from you. You will earn good money.
The truth: You give up your money(sometimes in the thousands)for the supplies up front. You will have to buy supplies from the company.(ex. A sewing machine or pieces for whatever you are building.) After you create the piece, the company reneges on their promise or they claim your finished work is not "good enough."
"Computer work at home opportunites."The catch: By performing data entry and word processing from home, you can earn money.(Of course you need to send in a fee first.)
The truth: What you will receive is a useless guide for work at home jobs. You may get a disk with generic information on how to run a business and a list of business names. When you try to contact the business listed, they will either not show interest or you get paid next to nothing." "Medical billing work at home opportunities."The catch: Because of the crisis in the health care system, you can make BIG money by starting a business. You do this by providing services such as billing,accounts receivable and electronic insurance claim processing to doctors and dentists.
The truth: You put up 8k, they will give you software training and technical support. Unfortunately, they do not give you any clients. The Federal Trade Commission says: "Few consumers who purchase a medical billing business opportunity are able to find clients. They are not able to start a business and generate revenues,let alone recover their investment and earn a substantial income. Competition in the medical billing market is fierce. It revolves around a number of large and well established firms." "MLM-style pyramid opportunities scams ."The catch: You will earn BIG money selling products of a particular company.As a MLM distributor, you can earn commissions both on your sales and the sales of the people you recruit to become distributors. The truth: Not all,but some MLM businesses are pyramids, where the products and services only exist to make the opportunity look legitimate. The problem is that in a scam, only the people at the top of the pyramid make money. Everyone else gets left holding the bag. Pyramids are illegal in Canada and in most of the United States.
There are questions you need to ask yourself when you see an opportunity.."Is the ad vague about what you would actually do but promises BIG earnings or wealth?"
"Does the ad promise that you will make BIG money working a few hour a week?"
Is there a fee for getting more information?(Either a direct fee or a number for you to call which will be billed for?)
Do you need experience to do the work or start the business? "Is there pressure to join the business?" Do you need to act right away or the opportunity will be gone?"
These are some of the things you should watch for. I am sure there are a lot more tricks to look out for but hopefully these will help you stay clear of people who are trying to rob you.
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