HOW TO AVOID HOME BUSINESS SCAMS
The email inboxes of net-savvy parents are often flooded with
home business scams.
We're prime targets. We know our way around a computer keyboard,
and we love to spend time with our kids, so we're marked for
every home-business opportunity in the book.
And it's true: a lot of us would love nothing more than to make
money and stay at home. That's why even though we know we can
smell a rat a mile away, we're sometimes tempted...even by those
less-than-reputable (and less-than-ethical) companies that rely
on SPAM to get the word out.
Here are a few tips to avoiding the scams and finding the right
home-based business opportunity for you.
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE... It probably is. If you find
an opportunity for which you can make a lot of money without
spending any time working, move on to the next opportunity.
VAGUE HEADLINES "Tammy made $4,000 in her first month. So can
you." First of all, who is Tammy? Testimonials that are
difficult to verify may not be legitimate. If the ad only gives
first names and photographs of people holding scads of cash, be
careful. If Tammy is a legitimate home-working entrepreneur,
it's possible that she made that $4,000 in her first month...and
significantly less after that time period.
Also be wary of companies that offer to sell you lists of
companies that are looking for homeworkers. A friend of mine
once shelled out $95 for such a list, which turned out to be a
listing straight from her yellow pages. When she contacted these
businesses, she discovered that they were neither looking for
home-workers nor did they agree to be listed in such a book.
THE OVERHYPED Be leery if there is a strict time limit for
investing in a business opportunity. Scammers know that the
faster you act, the less you think (and research). And if this
is a fly-by-night company, these time limits provide a better
opportunity to take the money and run.
Also, don't get too excited about deep discounts on starting
costs. More costs may come later. And keep in mind that, in many
states, the government does not regulate business opportunities
with investments of less than $500. Some of the worst scams may
fall into this category.
RESEARCH Use your knowledge of the internet to avoid being
scammed. Check for listings with the National Fraud Information
Center (http://www.fraud.org/) as well as the Better Business
Bureau (http://www.bbb.org)
You can also conduct a search for the business opportunities on
Google Groups (http://www.groups.google.com) Here you'll find an
archive of newsgroup postings. If someone has been scammed,
chances are they'll want to warn others.
IF YOU DECIDE TO SIGN... Get everything in writing, including
business expenses-- from fees to equipment to supplies. Will the
company refund any of your initial investment if you change your
mind? Keep detailed records.
Some online opportunities are lucrative and legitimate,
and--armed with a few online resources--it's never been easier
to sort the good from the bad.
When it comes to working from home, "when there's a will,
there's a way." Now it's up to you to find the way that best
suits you and your lifestyle.