People searching for work-at-home job opportunities comes across hundreds of scams and false hope. Scams make it very difficult for job seekers to find a legitimate job. Applicants waste hundreds of hours trying to find work. A list of warning signs that job seekers need to look out for to avoid these type of jobs is listed below. Legitimate job listing services are hampered by scams because it makes it harder for them to provide the jobs and services their job seekers need to help them get a job.
Companies not on the Web
First sign to look for are jobs that do not have a web site. Any reputable company will have a web site with all the information you will need to contact them such as a street address and phone number. It is always recommended to call the company first and talk to someone before you decide to work from them. Don’t start a job before talking to a person involved in the company directly. Check with the Better Business Bureau or the Internet to see if anyone has had any negative experiences with the business. Company’s with no street address or easy way to contact them are usually a red flag that the company or job is not what it seems to be.
Companies Requesting Fees
Second sign to look for is any business requesting fees to work is the biggest signal that something is wrong. No job should require an investment no matter how small unless it is for software or equipment that you need to purchase in order to perform the job. Jobs requesting fees to send information or for items required to start the job are usually scams or someone misrepresenting the position offered. You are working for them so you should not have to shell out any funds to begin the job.
Companies Require Personal or Financial Details
The third and most important sign to look out for is jobs that request or require your bank account information to “transfer” funds to you for work completed. Reputable businesses will never require your social security number, bank account information or any other personal details aside from your address, number and email address. Most telecommuters are independent contractors that need to do their own taxes so employers will never need this information from you for any reason. If they want to pay you directly, they can use a PayPal account or snail mail. Try to avoid direct deposit as well to feel completely safe even if the company reputable. I know it is convenient, but it’s smarter not to take any chances.
Companies Misrepresenting the Job Posted
The fourth and last sign is falsification of the job listed. If a data entry job is posted saying all you will be doing is entering information into a form, it is usually a misrepresentation of the position. These jobs usually require you to post ads on the Internet. You will most likely be doing the same thing as the person who posted the ad on the job board and the only way you are paid is if a person responds to your ad and joins the company. This is considered false advertisement, the perpetrators are trying to get you to apply for their job by claiming it is a data entry position which is very popular and gets a lot of responses and then finding out it is just a sales job that includes data entry work.
The best way to not be scammed or taken advantage of is to be smart and pay attention to every detail and if something no matter how small or insignificant doesn’t seem right, do not apply for the job. I know you have probably heard this expression a thousand times before, but I will say it again – “it is better to be safe than sorry”.
By S. Marie Surles, President of HEA-Employment.com