Compared with even a few short years ago, there are plenty of legitimate money-making opportunities online. That's not to say that scams aren't common, though. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of unscrupulous companies and individuals who will gladly take you for a ride. If you're completely new to the world of working from home, separating legitimate opportunities from scams can be daunting. It's more than possible to be a work-from-home mom, but you need to exercise plenty of caution; a strong dose of common sense doesn't hurt, either. Look below to learn eight fantastic tips for avoiding work-from-home scams.
- Tip #1: Never Pay Upfront
While it's true that, in some cases, legitimate sites do charge fees, the vast majority of them do not. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to avoid places that charge upfront fees altogether. The fact of the matter is that legitimate sites earn money in other ways. A successful company will rake in money through well-placed ads or from fees that they charge their clients. You should be wary of any company that wants to charge you for the privilege of working for them. If you do spend the money, be prepared to never see it again. - Tip #2: Conduct a Search
It's easy to perform an online search about any given work-from-home opportunity. Be prepared to devote plenty of time to this endeavor, though. It's easy enough for a scam-based website to mask its true character through careful search engine optimization tactics. What this means is that you need to be willing to dig fairly deep. Don't take the word of one or two websites as gospel. Try to collect several pieces of online evidence to confirm or disprove the legitimacy of any work-from-home opportunity. When you're finished, you shouldn't be left with any lingering doubts. - Tip #3: Ask Around in Forums
There are thousands of work-from-home moms out there, and many of them frequent popular online forums. Track down a few of those forums and introduce yourself to the members. Once that's accomplished, post a list of the sites that you have been considering; ask everyone if they have any advice about the sites on your list. In some cases, you will be warned to steer clear; in others, you will be encouraged to sign up and get started. As long as the forum isn't sponsored by a specific work-from-home company, you should be able to trust the advice that you get. - Tip #4: Send an Email
Legitimate work-from-home websites will make it easy for you to understand how they work. If you browse through a site and still have doubts, though, there's no harm in sending a quick email. In the email, you could raise your concerns or doubts about the legitimacy of the company. Make sure to ask targeted, specific questions; for instance, ask them how and when you'll be paid. In return, you should get clear, straightforward answers. If you don't, you can bet your bottom dollar that something's fishy with the site. - Tip #5: Be Wary of "Freebies"
In order to get started with certain companies, you may be required to provide an initial free sample. That's perfectly fine; after all, they need a way to assess how talented you are. However, you need to be wary of sites that require far too much for free. The free samples that you provide should be short and sweet. If you're asked for more of the same – for free – you should starting looking elsewhere for work. Unfortunately, some companies prey on work-from-home moms in an attempt to get free content. - Tip #6: Check with the Better Business Bureau
Well-established and legitimate work-from-home sites should be listed with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB maintains an easy-to-use website, so why not put it to use? You simply have to input the official name of the company that you are investigating. If you're unable to find the company, proceed with caution. If you find it and are presented with concerning information, drop it and find something else. If you're presented with positive, glowing information, though, you might just be onto something. Your entire decision shouldn't be based on what you find with the BBB, but you should take it into account. - Tip #7: Beware of "Get Rich Quick" Scenarios
One surefire sign of a work-from-home scam is the "get rich quick" opportunity. The fact is that, while people make legitimate money online, they have to work to earn it. Nobody is raking in free money from the Internet. As alluring as such a concept may sound, it's simply not true. Those who enjoy a lot of passive income through ads and other ventures had to work very hard to get to that level. If a site promises to get you an amazing income in no time, take it as a glaring red flag. - Tip #8: Give it a Whirl
Once you've worked through the preceding steps and feel fairly certain about the legitimacy of a work-from-home site, go ahead and give it a whirl. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket, though, and be prepared to move on if things don't go precisely how you had planned. You can't find out for sure without trying, of course, so it's wise to go out on a limb every now and then. As long as you're not parting with a lot of cash in order to do so, you should come out okay in the end!
There you have it! Sorting the scams from the legit opportunities online involves some research, but it's well worth it. After all, you want to have a real shot of being a work-from-home mom, right? If you keep getting burned by scam sites, you may end up throwing in the towel. That would be too bad; there are many great opportunities out there just waiting for you. Lay the groundwork for a successful work-from-home career by doing plenty of research about each opportunity. In the long run, it will pay off in spades.