Synopsis:
The increased number of people seeking work from home opportunities has resulted in a significant increase in work from home scams.
Work at home internet jobs are an increasingly popular option, particularly with the sharp rise in unemployment over the last couple of years.
Recently the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, released its 2009 annual report about fraudulent activity on the internet. The report showed an increase in online crime and fraud complaints of over 22 percent from 2008. The total loss to individuals from online fraud was $559.7 million, up from $265 million in 2008.
The IC3 has received many complaints about work from home scams.
The fraud or scam usually involves the payment of an advance fee for registration, equipment, information or training or the victim is lured into providing personal information, including banking and credit card details to the online company.
Advance Fee fraud was the second biggest internet scam reported in 2009.
Various consumer watchdog sites responded to the report by offering advice to people seeking work at home internet jobs. Primarily people are urged to do their homework and investigate the online company or business.
The following organizations can be contacted to find out whether they have received any complaints regarding the business opportunity.
If the business opportunity sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Steps can be taken to avoid work from home scams
A legitimate company will be happy to supply you with the names and contact details of other employees or contractors.
These are some of the most common work from home scams currently on the internet. Some work at home internet jobs are legitimate but consider it a red flag to do some research on the company before committing yourself to anything.
Usually the victim ends up paying for a guide to working at home which provides information readily available for free on the web
Many people get scammed into purchasing these lists that offer guaranteed work at home jobs. They are often just a list compiled out of the phone-book and many of the companies, if they do actually exist, have no idea they are a potential employer.
You can avoid internet based work from home scams and still enjoy the benefits afforded by work at home internet jobs by developing a home based business that is independent of any online company or organization. With internet access and basic computer skills it is possible to start a successful Work from Home Computer Business that is both rewarding and profitable.
Cite:
House, van, personal loans, sources and information for singles, seniors, low income families, and disabled.
Chart of health and disability awareness ribbon colors including their associated causes and meaning.