Real work at home is possible, and there are true opportunities out there, but only if applicants manage to avoid Internet scams. When it comes to Internet scams, they're almost unavoidable. Those who spend any time surfing the 'net at all will come across an Internet scam that preaches real, live, work at home opportunities. Many of these sites will look professional and sound very credible when you read the text. You'll see pictures and hype regarding the money you can earn, read loads of testimonials from satisfied "employees," and begin to think that there may be someting to this work at home, self employment business, after all.
Internet Scams to Avoid
In most cases, however, you're falling into a cleverly-laid Internet trap. Work from home scams come in all shapes and sizes. One of the most popular is taking surveys online.
Here's the thing about taking online surveys: in some cases, yes, you may get paid. In order to take even one of these surveys, however, you have to give some company all of your personal information. They will know every single thing about you, have access to your address and phone number, and get a good idea of what you do for a living and for fun. You may get five dollars for doing the survey, but you may get harassed by mail advertisements and telemarketers until the end of time. In many cases, you will be asked to pay money upfront before you can even begin taking surveys.
If you are asked for money upfront, you are in the middle of an Internet scam. Discontinue reading, close the window, forget about it. Find something else. No legitimate job opportunity is going to ask you to put up money upfront, on the Internet or otherwise.
Is Real Work at Home Possible?
Internet scams come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. A good general rule of thumb to follow is that you should never have to pay them money if they're trying to hire you, if you have to buy some special equipment you probably shouldn't become involved, and if you don't get it in writing you're not really going to get any money. Get it in writing, don't pay them and let them pay you. Anything else, any other offer, is probably not legitimate. Real work at home is possible, and there are jobs and opportunities out there. It's just a matter of finding them, not the Internet scams.
To read more on this topic, go to the discussions page. To read more about the Internet, check out the Internet section.
KC Morgan - KC Morgan has been the featured writer in Self-Employment since 2006, using personal experience to create guides to being self-employed.
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