How do you tell if a work from home job posting is a scam or is a legitimate home-based job?
There are warning signs and if you keep them in mind, you can easily spot if the job post is a scam.
There are sites that you can browse through and you can read up on other people’s experiences. Some sites even have a rating for home-based jobs and this can give you an idea on the legitimacy of the job post you are applying for.
Here are the top 5 warning signs of work from home scams:
1. Promises that are too good to be true. Protect yourself from scams by knowing how to spot one. First warning signs are those promises that are too good to be true. Scammers aim to target individuals who dream of earning quick and big cash. Unrealistic profits is something that you should avoid for it usually leads to scams.
2. Requests for upfront payment. If you are required to make some sort of application fee, or you need to call a 900 number for more details, or paying for a list that they say you will need to get the job… be warned! Never pay to get a work from home job. Another trick that scammers do is they ask you to assemble a craft project such as toys, dolls or other assembly packs, with a promise to pay you a high per-piece rate after paying for the starter kit that includes the instructions and parts. Sounds good, but when you finish assembling it, you’d be told by the company that your work do not meet their “specifications”.
3. The job post has false or questionable reviews, testimonials, awards and endorsements. Websites running job posts or offering work from home opportunities try to make themselves look legitimate by posting awards or recommendations that do not even exist. They claim that they were “voted no. 1” or that they are the “leading site for homebased jobs” or even say that they have done “extensive research”. In actuality, their claims are not backed up by the proper industrial research.
4. Lack of contact information. Do they have any established physical location with a real street address? If you click on the “Contact Us” or “About Us” page in their website, doe they have any relevant contact information? Legitimate companies give you true contact information. If a company is using just a generic email, or a P.O. Box address, it might not be a scam by itself, but it should be something you should consider when accepting their job post.
5. No experience is required. A legitimate job requires a certain level of experience or a set of skills to do the job. Look for inconsistencies in the job description and tasks required of you.
Remember to check out the company, ask important questions, be on the lookout for signs of a scammer and be patient. And more importantly, take action if you’ve been victimized by reporting your complaints to relevant authorities and sharing your experience to others. Sift through the job posts carefully and protect yourself from work from home scams.
As prevention is better than cure, remaining vigilant for scams will make your work from home experience more enjoyable and beneficial.