Even though there are many legitimate work-at-home opportunities, the scams of years ago still exist. But it’s up to you to find them and steer clear, and it’s not always easy to tell the real deal from a scam.
According to the National Consumers League and Fraud. org, there are some steps to take and signs to watch out for when you're starting your search for a work-at-home job:
- Research, research, research: It’s important to know exactly whom you're working for. When you find a job posting you’re interested in, take special care to research the company that's hiring. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and conduct a Web search for any complaints or less-than-stellar reviews. Ask for references: Any company that's hiring workers to work at home might have other people working for them as well. Ask how many and find out if you're able to contact any of them. If they are unwilling to provide references or contact information, it might not be a good sign. Think long and hard before shelling out any money: Some work-at-home jobs will require you to purchase materials or equipment to get started, and while that doesn’t mean they're not legitimate, it should be a red flag. If you are asked to pay for equipment, make sure you understand what you’re buying, and from whom. Also ask about the return policy for your equipment if your new gig doesn't work out.
Many online job platforms such as Upwork. com also have their own system for recognizing and removing job scams. According to the site, many of them involve employers who try to pay workers outside the site’s payment system, and engage in some sort of check or money order fraud. For more tips on avoiding job scams on freelancing sites, read about it here.
Working at home is a dream of many, and thanks to technology, that dream is coming true for more people than ever. But if you want to work at home, you’ll need to research the possibilities and develop the skills required for many of these jobs.
So what are you waiting for? With the right skills, you could be working at home in 2017.
Holly Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. She blogs at ClubThrifty. com and teaches others how to write online at EarnMoreWriting. com.
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