Be Wary of Work-at-Home Schemes
Be wary of work-at-home schemes as they are not all that they
may seem. The adverts promise big monetary gain but invariably
prove to be a let down. While you may find these ads appealing,
especially if you can't work outside your home, proceed with
caution. Not all work-at-home opportunities deliver on their
promises.
Many ads omit the fact that you may have to work many hours
without pay. Or they don't disclose all the costs you will have
to pay. Countless work-at-home schemes require you to spend your
own money to place newspaper ads; make photocopies; or buy the
envelopes, paper, stamps, and other supplies or equipment you
need to do the job.
Here are two typical examples of work-at-home-schemes:
Envelope stuffing: Promoters usually advertise that, for a
"small" fee, they will tell you how to earn money stuffing
envelopes at home. Later - when it's too late - you find out
that the promoter never had any employment to offer. Instead,
for your fee, you're likely to get a letter telling you to place
the same "envelope-stuffing" ad in newspapers or magazines, or
to send the ad to friends and relatives. The only way you'll
earn money is if people respond to your work-at-home ad.
Assembly or craft work: These programs often require you to
invest hundreds of dollars in equipment or supplies. Or they
require you to spend many hours producing goods for a company
that has promised to buy them. For example, you might have to
buy a sewing or sign-making machine from the company, or
materials to make items like aprons, baby shoes or plastic
signs. However, after you've purchased the supplies or equipment
and performed the work, fraudulent operators don't pay you. In
fact, many consumers have had companies refuse to pay for their
work because it didn't meet "quality standards."
Unfortunately, no work is ever "up to standard," leaving workers
with relatively expensive equipment and supplies - and no
income. To sell their goods, these workers must find their own
customers.
Here are some questions you might ask a promoter:
What tasks will I have to perform?
Will I be paid a salary?
Will my pay be based on commission?
Who will pay me?
When will I get my first pay cheque?
What is the total cost of the work-at-home program?
What will I get for my money?
The answers to these questions may help you determine whether a
work-at-home program is appropriate for your circumstances, and
whether it is legitimate.
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