Working from Home
Don't get burned by 'work at home' scamsDoesn't the sound of running your own business and being your own boss sound ideal? TERRI WILLIAMS - Special to Sun Media |
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And, of course it would be even better if you could do it from the comfort of your own home.
Well, if that's what you are looking for -- watch out. There are lots of con artists out there playing on your need or desire to run your own business from home.
Whether you are a stay-at-home mom wanting to bring in a few extra dollars, or a retiree needing to supplement your income, know this -- the vast majority of "work at home" job offers are scams.
Here are some typical ones to watch out for:
ASSEMBLY SCAM
With work at home assembly scams, you are asked to buy instructions, materials and sometimes even equipment like sewing machines. You are then asked to assemble dolls, aprons, rugs, clowns or jewelry. The promoter promises to buy them back from you if they are assembled properly.
The Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus says that in many cases the instructions for assembling the products are very difficult to understand.
Plus, the company overestimates how much you could make, and underestimates how much time it takes to assemble the goods.
The company usually reserves the right to reject your assembled goods, and that's usually what happens. You end up with a collection of clowns or dolls and no money. If you ever see any such goods at a garage sale or rummage sale, you can guess what's happened.
STUFFING ENVELOPES SCAM
With the work at home stuffing envelopes scam, you send a fee to the company and receive directions to place the same advertisement as you answered in the paper using your address or a postal box as the company address.
You are usually asked to send $15 to find out how to make money stuffing envelopes at home.
It's one big scam perpetrated over and over again. The BBB says one of two things happens with this scam. First, you send your money and you hear nothing back from the company. Second, you receive instructions on how to scam others.
Recruiting others to send money for no exchange of a product or service is a pyramid scheme. These are illegal, the BBB says.
You could also be duped into buying a Directory (very official sounding of course) which purports to offer a list of companies that offer work at home opportunities.
According to the BBB, you need to be realistic when considering these types of offers.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO SPOT A SCAM:
If the terms work from home or work at home are used, be very skeptical. What is the job description? You are looking for a job where you can work from home. The advertisement should tell you what the job is. You need to know what the job is before you apply for it.
If the company doesn't need to see any experience or a resume it is likely illegitimate. Most legitimate jobs require applicants to provide a resume and some references.
If the company asks for any up front fees, run the other way. You are supposed to be paid for your work, not the other way around.
If the advertisement promotes a ridiculously large amount of money, get real. Could you imagine making $3,000 a day from home? No, well then, it won't happen.
If you receive the advertisement unsolicited, pitch it. If you receive a flier in the mail or an e-mail promoting these types of jobs, put them directly in the recycle bin or delete them.
Terri Williams, CFP, is Director, Educational Services at
DundeeWealth. Reach her at terri.williams@sunmedia.ca.
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