Work-at-Home Opportunities

Often Too Good To Be True

Work-at-home scams are on the rise given the state of the economy. Learn how to recognize them to avoid becoming a victim.

Types of Work-at-Home Scams

Mystery Shoppers

Typically, the scam asks you to take part in consumer research by becoming a secret shopper. You may be asked to evaluate a real business or businesses initially to make the scam appear legitimate. Then in a mailing or email, you receive a check that you need to take to a financial institution to “test” and requires you to wire money to the employer and keep a portion for yourself. The check bounces after you wire the money, leaving you liable for the amount. Just because funds are available on a check you’ve deposited doesn’t mean the check is good.

Advance-Fee Businesses

This involves you paying an up-front fee to the business for set-up materials. Later, you don’t receive any materials or what you do receive is junk.

Pyramid Schemes

This illegal activity tries to promise large returns in a short period of time. It starts when you give the person you are recruited by a sum of money, then you “recruit” 10 others to do the same, and they recruit 10 people, etc. Often the leader of the scheme makes money, and in return, everyone else loses out.