It was not so long ago that I found some information on a writing job which was being offered online. The pay sounded great and I definitely had the credentials, qualifications and experience deemed necessary to perform the work. As the old saying goes, "I bit hook, line and sinker." Now, I consider myself to be fairly well-educated, somewhat worldly and in possession of an average amount of common sense. Did it help me?
The person with whom I maintained email contact, and with whom I had an initial phone conversation, sounded nice enough. Little did I know that after I sent in the first batch of completed work (comprised of about 15 hours of intense effort), I would never hear from the person again. Nor could I have known that every attempt to contact the "company" would end in failure as my phone calls went unanswered and my emails all bounced back. I never received a dime for my efforts!
I would like to mention that the "company" in question was not, I repeat NOT found on this particular job-networking site. As far as my dealings and interactions with clients on Job Shuk are concerned, I have found, much to my happiness, a 100% honesty rate.
Back to the story…I was naïve; that is a point which is beyond debate. I was trusting, and to a point, I remain so. In the back of my mind, I continue to believe that most human beings are inherently good, honest, moral and ethical.
But I also keep in the back of my mind statistics which I have read recently, including one from CNN, which stated that nearly 60% of "work-from-home" jobs are scams. This is what should cause one to mix into his or her trusting nature a "healthy dose" of skepticism! As the unemployment rate continues to rise, and people become more and more desperate for a paycheck, the number of "predators" and "scammers" continues to grow. They never stop seeking out their next opportunistic target!
Despite this, it is important to remember that if 60% are scams, 40% are legitimate! That means that 40% of the individuals or companies who offer you work from home are honest in their intentions, ethical in their business practices and perhaps most importantly, fully intend to pay you!
So what are the scams which are out there? Among them are the following (which I found from a cursory glance on the web) to name but a few:
1) Those who accept work performed and "disappear" without paying
2) Those which ask for large payments up front for "supplies"
3) Those which charge money for a "pre-hire competency exam"
4) Those which ask you to recruit others and offer you commission based on this-this is a typical "pyramid-scheme"
5) Those who agree to a certain set of conditions, including pay, only to change to a completely new set of conditions after work has commenced
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The above represent just a few of the many scams which can be found out there. Want to see more? Just Google "work from home scams."
The Federal Trade Commission, on its website www.ftc.gov offers the following tips for those who are considering working from home. It is important to keep in mind that all of the information found below, whether it pertains to checking out a company or filing a complaint, can be obtained and/or accessed by those working in
Questions to ask:
- What tasks will I have to perform? Ask the program sponsor to list every step of the job.
- Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission?
- What exactly will the salary and benefits be? (Get it in writing!)
- Who will pay me?
- When will I get my first paycheck?
- What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?
- My addition to this list is this: Do not accept a phone call from the employer at face value. Ask for a number where you can call them back and be sure to call them back! Establish their correct phone number and correct location. This is crucial information which you just might need later!
Check for complaints against the company with the following:
· The local consumer protection agency.
· Your state attorney general’s office or the office in the state where the company does business.
· The Better Business Bureau.
Be wary. The absence of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean the company is legitimate. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their names or move to avoid detection.
If you have spent money and time on a work-at-home program and now believe the program may not be legitimate, contact the company and ask for a refund.
Let company representatives know that you plan to notify officials about your experience.
If you can’t resolve the dispute with the company, file a complaint with these organizations:
· The Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraud and deception. Call 1-877-382-4357 or visit www.ftc.gov.
· The attorney general’s office in your state or the state where the company is located. The office will be able to tell you whether you’re protected by any state law that may regulate work-at-home programs.
· Your local consumer protection offices.
· Your local Better Business Bureau.
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Dear Reader,
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It is my sincere hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. If so, perhaps you would be interested in reading my most recent article. In it you will find out why a portfolio and testimonials are indispensable tools to landing your next job or client:
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Excellent article!
With overseas clients, I usually request 50% of the money up front and 50% upon completion and client approval of the work. This approach offers 50% protection… However, it’s important to remember that a potential client might be wondering the same thing about the service provider: Is this service a scam? Will I pay 50% upfront and never receive the work?
With Israel-based clients, I always look up the company online and take note of their location. I figure that I can always march into their offices if they fail to pay me. At the very least, I have an address to which my lawyer can send a demand letter.
My Israel-based clients have always been legit, although there have been a few cases in which I’ve had to follow up in order to get paid.
In contrast, I have been contacted by a number of overseas people who turned out to be scams.
Be careful, folks… It is sometimes better to pass on a job than to risk it.
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for the kind feedback. I hope everything is going well in the voice-over world!
My conclusion of the experience is that I learned a very valuable lesson. In retrospect, I was too naive and a bit too trusting; the warning signs were there all along, I just failed to heed them. One was that the email address was a simple Yahoo address; considering this was purported to be a company, I might have questioned that. Secondly, was receiving calls from my contact which originated from a “blocked” number. The contact person said it was for security purposes and told me on the several occasions when I asked for a number, “Don’t worry, I’ll call you if we need to speak.” Red flags!
Thank you for your advice and suggestions! All the best to you,
Yoni