What Work-at-Home Scams Look Like

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While exiting, remember it takes hard work.
- Avoid any offer that promises you’ll make a lot of money for very little work.
- Don’t rely on a money-back guarantee. Con artists rarely give money back.
- Be wary of testimonials or endorsements.
- See if the Better Business Bureau has a Reliability Report on the company.
- Never give a credit card, debit card or checking account number to any person or company that promises employment. If they wantyou to pay them it’s a scam!
- Keep a positive attitude. You are likely to fail a few times before you learn the ropes.
A comprehensive list can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/WorkTipsOnline

Jaxon of FL 11:17PM June 20, 2009

Hello Liz,
I appreciate your article. Thanks for posting.
I'm sure I speak for others as well as myself when I say scam awareness is always welcomed, and very much needed. It's encouraging to know that sites such as yours supply important scam prevention information to help keep the web safe.
In addition, I would like to mention credible resources such as http://www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com/scams and http://www.RatRaceRebellion.com/spottingscams.htm. Both are recognized by the media for their diligent work in keeping home employment seekers abreast of the latest scams and how to avoid them.
Laura, I commend you for your courage in sharing your unfortunate experience. Many scam victims are too ashamed or embarrassed to publicize their incidents. Your willingness to help others by using your own personal experience is very admirable. I wish you all the best.

Callie of IN 12:26AM April 23, 2009

I am a single mother of 2 who works part time. I recently received a check, much like the one described. I looked up the company that sent it to me as well as had several individuals look at the check. Everything appeared fine. Watermarked check and all. The company had sent me information, on company letterhead describing exactly what it was i was to do for the compensation they had sent me. All of the i's were dotted and t's were crossed. It all seemed a little too good to be true. But given the fact that i could certainly use the money they were offering, i indulged and did as I was asked.
I was to deposit or cash the check and then i was to do "market research" on 3 companies (McDonalds, Wal-Mart and Western Union/Moneygram) I was to keep a portion of this $3700 check for compensation and wire $2745 to a man who's information was provided to me. I deposited the check and then I used my portion to pay my mortgage and get birthday gifts for my 2 little girls.
Following this i had intended to take out the remainder of the funds and do what was asked of me by A+ Systems Inc. out of Georgia. On that day (4 days after initial deposit) I was informed by my bank that the check i had deposited and debited against was fraudulent. Leaving me almost $1000 in the negative and with a bad record with the bank.
Courtesy of this company I now have no bank account, owe almost a thousand dollars to the bank that i did have, and my name is in a data base of individuals that attempt to cash fraudulent checks.
I called the company that sent me the check and the man who answered knew it was me before i introduced myself, then proceeded to tell me that they have had a problem like this in the past and that it was due to a "security block" put on the check so that it does not get into the wrong hands. I explained to the man that this was not the case and the issue was not in depositing the check, but in the after affects. His concern was with whether or not i wired them their money prior to this occurring. Then when i told him that i intended to get whomever I could involved, he told me he couldn't continue the conversation due to my tone of voice and hung up on me. Since then i have not been able to get in touch with anyone there. There has been no answer.
This scam has affected me in so many negative ways that i will feel the affects for quite a while. I beg of anyone that may receive one of these checks....BEWARE!! If it seems to good to be true....it is!!!!

Laura of PA 5:35PM April 20, 2009