How to Avoid Work at Home Scams

I would venture to say that at some point in time, most of us have wondered what it would be like to ditch our full-time jobs and try working out of the house instead. Think of all the advantages: no boss watching your every move, no commute, no expensive wardrobe to maintain. You'd be able to see your kids a lot more often, and would experience far less stress all the way around. People who work at home usually report being happier and more fulfilled than when they worked in offices, which isn't hard to believe.

Because so many people want to work from home, there are some unscrupulous predators out there who take advantage of that desire by perpetrating scams that routinely bilk folks out of lots of money. Let's face it, unless you have a terrific business idea and have the capital to get started on your own, you'll still be drawing a paycheck from someone else. Finding the right outfit to sign on with can be challenging, so here are some quick tips to avoid common work at home scams.

When looking for a telecommuting position, you should absolutely avoid any company that requires you to spend money prior to getting hired. These places often couch these requirements in the form of equipment purchases, which many hopeful job-seekers might find perfectly reasonable. For instance, a data entry company might tell prospective workers that they have to buy special software in order to do the job properly -- and then they charge $150 or more for the items. Once you pay the money, you often find that they don't actually have anything for you to do. The company will come up with all kinds of excuses about putting you on a waiting list or something, but you'll be waiting forever. You should never pay a registration fee or equipment fees in order to work form home. Legitimate outfits loan employees any equipment needed for the job.

Another type of work at home scam involves taking surveys for money. In this scheme, people tell you that you can earn good money or free products by taking marketing surveys for well-known, major corporations. But the truth here is that most surveys pay participants a paltry sum (like 50 cents or $1) and take around 15 minutes to complete. If you don't mind making $2 and hour, then go for it! Also, you have to submit an email address to take these surveys, and you'll subsequently be slammed with hundreds of spam messages per day.

Other bogus work at home programs include assembling crafts like bracelets or necklaces (that the company will refuse to pay you for because they'll never quite be up to specifications), recruiting people into MLM or outright pyramid schemes, or promises of making thousands of dollars per week if you invest in someone else's business.

Many people let their extreme desire to work at home cloud their judgment. Don't make hasty decisions, especially when it comes to parting with cash. Instead, thoroughly check out any company you plan to join and stay far, far away if something sounds too good to be true.