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. You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact: