Reported by:
John Matarese
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UPDATE 7/1/09: BEWARE OF SCAM ADS
This report has become so popular that work-at-home scammers have now been targeting this webpage and story with ads for shady work-at-home jobs. We are doing everything possible to remove these ads, but they continue to pop up, and are outside our control. Please stick with the specific sites listed in the report below, and be very careful clicking on any work-at-home ads surrounding this page. Also, avoid any job opportunity that claims you can make money from
Google: Google is not paying people to post on its website.
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With the economy as bad as its been in 25 years, and new layoffs every day, more and more of us would love to find a work-at-home job that really works.
So I'm going to show you how to find one that's worth pursuing... and is not just another scam waiting to take your money.
A Work-at-Home Success StorySharon looks like any other customer service rep...
"May I get your name, address, and date of birth please?"...with one big exception. She handles claims for a major insurer in a spare bedroom in her house, earning almost $10 an hour working hours of her choosing.
Sharon tells me
"I love working from home. It gives you extra time, I can sleep in, I dont have to fight traffic."Sharon worked in a busy call center until she got the chance to work part time in her own home, courtesy the marketing company Convergys.
Helena Lawson of Convergys explains "
it's a very fast growing segment for us, that we are growing. And we anticipate doubling or tripling in the next year or so." In these times of corporate cutbacks, thats refreshing news. Companies like Convergys say thanks to internet phone systems, they can save money farming out call center work to home based workers.
Legitimate Work-at-Home CompaniesSome of the legitimate companies offering home based call center work include:
- Convergys
- Arise
- Alpine Access
- Working Solutions
- Speak-Write (home based dictation opportunities)
Most have websites where you can apply online...at no cost. (click links above)
In addition, I am now adding links to two great Web sites that provide other, non-call center work-at-home ideas:
"Mom-Mom" and
"WAHM...Work at Home Mom." (Click links above)
Warning: while these two sites offer great ideas...I have received complaints in the past about some of the Ads appearing on those sites. Some of the ads on these two Mom sites may be for bogus operations, like those described below. Use their ideas, but beware what you click on.
How to Avoid ScamsNot paying an application fee is key, because you'll still find plenty of ads for bogus "refund processing" jobs, "post office" and "government" jobs that will leave you disappointed and your wallet lighter.
The
Better Business Bureau says be suspicious of at-home jobs that charge a fee up front....... Including:
- Refund Processing
- Home Mailing
- Envelope Stuffing
- Postal or Government jobs for an upfront fee
- Almost anything you receive in an e-mail or see on a telephone pole
Sharon's been there, done that, and now knows the difference. She tells me
"if anyone asks you for any money to work at home...that's definitely a thing to watch out for." Two more ways to make sure a work at home website is legitimate:
It should list some job requirements, such as a high speed internet line, or a computer with a minimum operating speed. And it should be listed on the Better Business Bureaus website: If it's not there, ask why not, and be suspicious.
I can't stress this enough: Be careful of any work at home job that requires money up front for a "starter kit." Some legitimate companies will charge an application fee, but it's well along in the process. You know what you are getting into before you have to decide whether to pay the fee. But never pay money before you even know if the jobs are legitimate.
Scam artists are getting rich selling $89 "information kits" that give worthless information.
As always don't waste your money. I'm John Matarese.
