Work At Home Scams: Want To Know The Truth?
Are you considering starting a home-based business so you can earn an income while staying home with your children? There are many wonderful opportunities and success stories associated with home-based businesses, but there are also many scams and fraudulent schemes out there, as well. Here is a short checklist of what you might want to think about before starting a home-based business.
If a business opportunity sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is. These scams have caused even highly intelligent people to lose money and time. If a website promises that their method requires little work and great money quickly, it is most likely a scam.
One of the most common types of scams is the pyramid scheme business. Thankfully, these companies are illegal in many areas. The pyramid scheme encourages their members to recruit others to join the pyramid by paying money to the company. You do not actually make money by selling a product; you make money by recruiting. Since most people are only able to recruit so many others, only the people at the top of the pyramid actually see any real money. Sadly, the majority never make money from this type of business. Avoid the pyramid scheme at all cost!
Stuffing envelopes and home assembly programs are two other scams that have lured many unknowing participants. These two will be discussed together because they have both existed for many years, but you can still find their ads in popular sources like magazines and news publications. Few people actually make money from stuffing envelopes; in fact, I know some who have tried this business. These people paid the requisite fees, followed the directions, and were subsequently told that their work was of poor quality.
Claims that sound way too good to be based on truth are most likely not. Usually, these companies require you to send money to purchase supplies; you put the given products together, and then mail the finished piece to the business. The company then typically says that you put the product together incorrectly, and you ultimately are not paid. The company is the sole judge of the products quality, so you are unable to recoup any funds that have been lost.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Normally, you have to send in a fee for supplies, assemble the products, and then return the finished products to the company. However, most of the time you will receive no payment because the product was not assembled correctly. When they get to be the only judge over the quality of assembly, you’re completely at their mercy with no recourse.
Many of these businesses are legitimate; this is especially true in the area of Internet Marketing. I myself have taken part in such opportunities with some success. Unfortunately, most internet sites like this are only out there to take money from you. The advertisements are written by very talented copy-writers. These people have been trained to use certain words and graphics to convince you to buy into anything and everything.
One question to ask when considering a home based business is: can the company provide proof of their claims? The ad sounds great, albeit unclear, but the money you will make is fabulous! Read everything, including the fine print, and you will probably find a run of the mill scam. Investigate the company well. You can make money from a home based business, but finding a legitimate one is like finding a needle in a haystack.
