It's a fact, finding a legitimate work at home job is tough - but not impossible. Scams are everywhere and innocent people get scammed every day. This slide show contains 12 solid tips for avoiding work at home scams and information on 7 common scams that you should look out for.

1. Avoiding Work at Home Scams
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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.

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.

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.

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 often use email
addresses to make you
think a friend is sending
them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

10. Tip #9: Understand Pyramid Schemes
People often mistake Multi-
Level Marketing for Pyramid
Schemes, but they are not
necessarily 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.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme

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.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

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’s too good to be true, it
probably isn’t. Don’t waste
your time or hard-earned
money.

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.

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.

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 cheque.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_shopping

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

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

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 jewellery 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

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

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

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 will 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.

22. Again, and Say it with Me…
If it’s too good to be
true, it is.
Just walk away.
Something better
and legitimate will
come along.

23. Ready for Legitimate Work from Home?
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