Here are a few things you should look out for...
Envelope stuffing jobs - Seems easy enough right? They mail you some envelopes, some papers, some address labels. You can do this in front of the TV! There is just one small catch, a "small fee" that you have to send them, to cover shipping of course. If you are going to make hundreds of money in your spare time for stuffing envelopes in front of Grey's Anatomy then why can't you fork over a teeny tiny fee to make this possible? Probably because once you do, they will inform you that they have JUST run out of work but you CAN make money sucking your friends into the job as well and getting them to pay their fees and round and round we go! You will most likely get money for getting your friends to join, but let's just hope your friends are smart enough NOT to pay that teeny tiny fee lol
Rebate processing - Now, I have personally done a job like this! The only difference is, i worked for a legit company, i went to an office 8 hours a day, sat at their computers, did actual work and best of all, they trained me for FREE. Why would a company hire someone and then have you pay them to train you! These ads will normally ask you for training and material fees. You will also probably pay a considerably larger fee to get your hands on an exclusive DVD showing you the secrets of the trade and how to make a fortune!!
Assembly jobs - Another one of those jobs you can do in front of your tv watching Ghost Hunters right? First you will have to send them money cause really they aren't just gonna send you supplies for free! So you'll pay your fee, get your supplies, mail them back only to be told how crappy of a job you did and how you aren't getting paid. Now you are stuck with a bunch of crafting supplies you don't want or need and no money to show for your hard work. You will, however, still have something to do while watching Desperate Housewives...
There are actual legit work from home jobs out there though! Always do your research first. Here is some helpful info from the FTC on questions you should ask the employer...
Get Answers in Writing
Legitimate work-at-home program sponsors should tell you — in writing — what’s involved in the program they’re selling. Here are some questions to ask:- What tasks will I have to perform? (Ask the program sponsor to list every step of the job.)
- Will I be paid a salary or will I be paid on commission?
- What is the basis for your claims about my likely earnings? Do you survey everyone who purchased the program? What documents can you show me to prove your claims are true before I give you any money?
- Who will pay me?
- When will I get my first paycheck?
- What is the total cost of this work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?
The answers to these questions may help you determine whether a work-at-home program is legitimate, and if so, whether it’s a good fit for you.
You’ll also want to check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau, not only where the company is located, but also where you live. These organizations can tell you whether they’ve gotten complaints about a particular work-at-home program. But be wary: just because there aren’t complaints doesn’t mean the company is legitimate. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their names or move to avoid detection.
In addition, consider other people’s experience by entering the company or promoter’s name with the word complaints into a search engine. Read what others have to say. After all, you are making a decision that involves spending your money.
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Here is some more helpful information from the FTC on what to do if you feel you may be a victim of a work-from-home scam..
Where to Complain
If you have spent money and time on a work-at-home program and now believe the program may not be legitimate, contact the company and ask for a refund. Let company representatives know that you plan to notify law enforcement officials about your experience. If you can’t resolve the dispute with the company, file a complaint with these organizations:
- The Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
- The Attorney General’s office in your state or the state where the company is located. Visit naag.org; the office will be able to tell you whether you’re protected by any state law that may regulate work-at-home programs.
- Your local consumer protection offices.
- Your local Better Business Bureau at bbb.org.
- Your local postmaster. The U.S. Postal Service investigates fraudulent mail practices. Visit postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
- The advertising manager of the publication that ran the ad. The manager may be interested to learn about the problems you’ve had with the company.
For More Information
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.-------------------------------
More information can be found on the FTC website at http://ftc.gov. As always, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Happy job hunting!!
