You probably come across work-from-home job scams all the time. Just scroll through the comments section of any popular article, and you’ll see things like, “Work from home and make $1,000,000 in the first 5 minutes!” or, “Do nothing all day and make $5,000!” These scams are everywhere—in your email inbox, phone calls, online articles, and more.
While many work-from-home opportunities are scams, not all of them are. There are plenty of legitimate work-from-home jobs that let you earn a good living, be your own boss, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24% of employed people did some or all of their work at home in 2015, and this number is growing. Forbes reported that one in five Americans worked from home in 2013, and this number has likely increased in the past few years.
However, you need to be cautious because there are probably ten scams for every legitimate job. Scammers know that many people want to work from home and prey on this desire. Here are some tips to help you avoid work-from-home job scams:
1. **Outlandish Promises**: If a company promises unrealistic earnings without explaining the job details, it’s likely a scam. For example, claims like “Work from home and make $1,000,000 in the first 5 minutes!” are almost certainly scams. If a job requires little to no work but promises high pay, be skeptical.
2. **Upfront Fees**: Many scams ask for an upfront fee to join their program or for training. This is how they make money—by charging you! While some legitimate businesses might require a small fee, be smart about what you’re paying for.
3. **PayPal Scams**: Some scams ask you to pay via PayPal to start with their company, often including a link in an email. These links might lead to a fake PayPal site designed to steal your login information. Always go directly to PayPal’s website instead of clicking on suspicious links.
4. **Easy Interview Process**: Be wary of jobs that have an overly simple interview process and ask for a lot of personal information upfront. Scammers might ask for your social security number, bank account details, and more, claiming it’s for employee paperwork. Always research the company and talk to someone directly before sharing sensitive information.
5. **Unsolicited Offers**: If you don’t remember signing up for a company but receive an email from them, ignore it. Scammers hope you’ll hand over your information without thinking. If a company contacts you first, be cautious.
6. **Large Checks**: Be suspicious of any job that sends you a large check and asks you to forward part of the money elsewhere. This is a common scam. Legitimate mystery shopping companies, for example, usually pay between $3 to $100, not thousands of dollars.
To find legitimate work-from-home jobs, always research the company. Check with the Better Business Bureau, search online for any scam reports, and be cautious if the company asks for money. Verify the job’s legitimacy before giving out personal information. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it’s best to move on.
Here are some legitimate work-from-home jobs:
– **Blogging**: Running a blog can be a great way to earn money. It allows for flexibility and the potential to earn a significant income.
– **Selling on Amazon**: You can make money by selling products on Amazon.
– **Virtual Assistant**: Assist with tasks like social media management, email management, and more.
– **Proofreading**: Freelance proofreading can be a lucrative job.
– **Bookkeeping**: Start a bookkeeping business even without prior experience.
– **Voice Over Acting**: Use your voice for YouTube videos, ads, audiobooks, and more.
– **Creating eBooks**: Writing and selling eBooks can be very profitable.
– **Freelance Writing**: Write for various clients, including websites and magazines.
– **Surveys**: Participate in surveys with companies like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie.
Remember, all legitimate work-from-home jobs require effort and are not get-rich-quick schemes. Have you ever encountered any work-from-home job scams? What legitimate work-from-home jobs have you tried?