Having a home business is a blessing in some many ways... being home with your kids, not having to drive in traffic, making extra money (or replacing the income from a job outside of the home). But you have to be careful be joining a home business because there are lots of scams out there. This slide show shares some tips on how to make sure you don't get scammed and pick the right home business for you!

1. Avoiding Work at Home Scams
PRESENTED BY MIKAYLA MARTINSEN

2. Tip #1: Never Pay to Get a Job
While you may have to pay a
start up fee to join a business
opportunity, you should never
have to pay
to gain employment.
If you are asked for money to
get a job, walk away.
FreedomYouCrave.com

3. Tip #2: Beware of Income Claims
Outrageous income claims
are a red flag. No one can
promise you specific earnings
and high earning results are
rarely typical.
Stay safe and avoid
companies that promise you’ll
make a ton of money.
FreedomYouCrave.com

4. Tip #3: Delete Unsolicited Emails
If you receive an email that you didn’t request and it
includes information about an earning opportunity, delete
it.
Scammers frequently use SPAM to find their victims.
FreedomYouCrave.com

5. Tip #4: Strange Emails from Friends
On the other hand, if you
receive an email from a friend
about an earning opportunity,
make sure they actually sent
it.
Scammers sometimes use
email addresses to make you
think a friend is sending them.
FreedomYouCrave.com

6. Tip #5: Don’t Dial 1-900 Numbers
Beware of opportunities that
ask you to call a
1-900 number. You could be
in for some astronomic phone
bill charges.
And never give your credit
card number on a 1-800 call.
FreedomYouCrave.com

7. Tip #6: Fully Research the Company
If you are going to take a
telecommuting job or join a
business opportunity,
thoroughly research the
company first.
Ask questions, check the BBB,
talk to others who work for the
company and more.
FreedomYouCrave.com

8. Tip #7: Legit Job Sites aren’t Immune
Even if you’re using a
legitimate job site like Monster
or Career Builder, realize they
are not immune to scammers.
Always do your homework.
FreedomYouCrave.com

9. Tip #8: Don’t Give Out Personal Info
Avoid giving our your SSN,
driver’s license, or other
sensitive information when
applying for jobs.
If someone is asking for your
personal info, ask why and do
your due diligence first.
FreedomYouCrave.com

10. Tip #9: Understand Pyramid Schemes
People often mistake Multi-
Level Marketing (MLM) for
Pyramid Schemes, but they
are not the same thing.
A pyramid scheme is where
people earn money by
recruiting others and there is
no real product for sale. They
are illegal.
Find out if the company has a
legitimate product to sell.
FreedomYouCrave.com

11. Tip #10: Understand Ponzi Schemes
Ponzis are marketed as
investment opportunities with
high payouts.
However, the payouts are
made to earlier members by
the contributions of later
members and funds will
eventually run out.
They are also illegal.
FreedomYouCrave.com

12. Tip #11: If It’s Too Good to Be True…
When it comes to any money-
making opportunity, the old
adage rings true.
If it sounds too good to be true, it
might be! Be careful - do your
own due diligence - and be sure
of your decision before you join.
FreedomYouCrave.com

13. Tip #12: Desperation Attracts Scammers
Times are tough. If you are out
of work and are in great need
of money, don’t advertise this
online or to people trying to
share an opportunity.
Scammers feed off
desperation and by showing
yours, you ask them to target
you.
FreedomYouCrave.com

14. Tip #13: Ignorance is Not a Legal Excuse
Many people think that if they
don’t know it’s a scam, they
won’t get in trouble.
However, by ignoring red flags
about an opportunity you’re
involved with means you’re
just as guilty in the eyes of the
law as anyone else.
FreedomYouCrave.com

15. Common Scam: Mystery Shopping
Mystery Shopping is a legitimate business, but there are
scammers taking advantage every day.
Scammers send fraudulent cheques by mail and ask you
to mystery shop money wire transfer businesses (which
sends a certain amount of the cheque back to the
scammer).
Your bank will hold you liable for the entire amount of the
fraudulent check.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_shopping
FreedomYouCrave.com

16. Common Scam: Reshipping Packages
In this one, the company asks you to repackage and ship
packages for them.
The problem is, they are usually goods purchased using a
stolen credit card, so essentially you are shopping stolen
goods.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_mule
FreedomYouCrave.com

17. Common Scam: Auto-Surf Programs
Auto-surf programs that are promoted as investment
opportunities that pay you for viewing websites (i.e.
“surfing” the web) are ones you should stay away from.
These programs promise you an unusually high return on
your investment, putting them in the “too good to be true”
category.
These types of opportunities are Ponzi schemes because
they use the investments made by new members to pay
the promised returns to older members.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autosurf
FreedomYouCrave.com

18. Common Scam: Craft Assembly
You may see an opportunity to put together products or
crafts for a Craft and other assembly. These companies
will ask you to assemble items like crafts or jewelery and
ship them back, only to reject them.
The company not only refuses to pay you for your work,
but you are also out the money you paid for supplies and
shipping.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work-at-home_scheme
FreedomYouCrave.com

19. Common Scam: Modern “Chain Letter”
You don’t see the chain letter scam where you send
money to a few people and get a certain amount of
money back as much anymore.
That’s because scammers have evolved to the online
world. Now you post online ads telling people can make
money by sending you money. Then they are shown how
to post ads to make money and the modern-day pyramid
scheme continues.
References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_letter and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work-at-home_scheme
FreedomYouCrave.com

20. Common Scam: 419 Scam
By now, most of us have heard of the Nigerian or 419
Scam, but still so many people fall for it every single day.
The story is usually a persecuted wealthy foreigner who
needs to get their money out of the country and they need
your help. People get roped into the promise of riches by
parting with money they often don’t have themselves.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_scam
FreedomYouCrave.com

21. Common Scam: Foreign Craigslist Buyer
If you are selling an item online and someone tells you they
want to buy, but they’re out of town, approach with caution.
The scammers will tell you they’ll send you extra money to pay
a shipping agent. You pay the agent, send the product and
then you find out the funds were fraudulent and you’re on the
hook.
They may also tell you that they have sent the funds by
PayPal. You receive an email that looks like it’s from Paypal,
stating the funds are being held until the item is shipped. The
email is fake and PayPal never holds funds until they are
shipped. It’s a scam.
FreedomYouCrave.com

22. Be Smart and Exercise Caution
Again, if it seems too
good to be true, it just
might be.
If your research
doesn’t prove
otherwise, just walk
away. Legitimate
opportunities are out
there!
FreedomYouCrave.com

23. Ready for Legitimate Work from Home?
Skinny Body Care is a
legitimate direct sales
company and home
business opportunity that
you can build online. The
cost to join is less than
your monthly cable bill
and you can check it our
for free!
Take a free tour today at:
FreedomYouCrave.com
FreedomYouCrave.com