Here are the common examples of Work-From-Home Scams
Work-From-Home Scams – Be aware of these different scams that are specifically happening in a work-from-home setup.
These scams are fake job postings that promise part-time or full-time employment from home. However, these are designed to trick people into paying them a certain amount of money instead of the other way around.
Usually, this happens when a “company” makes you fill out a fake application and then, fraudsters would steal your personal information, based on the article in Reader’s Digest. After that, the “company” will ask you to pay a fee. This could be for a fake background check, certification, training, or equipment purchase.
Here are the most common work-from-home scams:
Pay-for-training scams – The “company” will tell you that you got the job but then, it will ask for payment for a certification that is allegedly necessary for the role and/or for virtual training. At times, the company will tell you that it will reimburse you.
Resume refresh scams – Scammers using this scam will offer you to pay for a professional-looking resume or else you will not find work-from-home opportunities.
Equipment-buying scams – This happens when medical billing, which is a good work-from-home opportunity, but the “company” you to buy your own equipment first.
Overpayment scams – If you have a work-from-home job and when you receive your first paycheck which is much more than what the company owes you, then, think twice. When you send back the difference, you will be trapped in an overpayment scam.
Identify theft scams – Online forms would ask for your name, address, phone number, and such. Then, sometimes, the “company” will ask for more sensitive details with the claim that it needs to perform a background check on you but this is just to gather more information about this.
MLMs and pyramid schemes – Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, or companies that sell products via person-to-person sales are legit businesses. However, if the company promises you money for recruiting others to work for them and not based on your retail sales alone, this is a pyramid scam.
Reshipping scam – This happens when a company sends small boxes for you to repack and mail with labels it provides. Unknowingly, the company may be using you to smuggle drugs or other items.
Mystery shopper scams – Fake recruiters will promise to find you high-paying “secret shopper” jobs just around your area but once you pay for a small price, they will just disappear.
You should also be aware of Text Scams.