The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in work-from-home scams. Scammers are taking advantage of people’s desire to find work they can do from home by posing as legitimate companies and offering fake jobs.
Work-From-Home Scams Summary:
There are many different types of work-from-home scams, but some of the most common include:
- Envelope stuffing: Scammers offer people jobs stuffing envelopes from home. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any work.
- Product assembly: Scammers offer people jobs assembling products from home. They typically send the victim the materials they need to assemble the products, but they never pay them for their work.
- Data entry: Scammers offer people jobs entering data from home. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any data to enter.
- Reselling merchandise: Scammers offer people jobs reselling merchandise from home. They typically send the victim the merchandise to sell, but they never pay them for the merchandise they sell.
How To Prevent Work-From-Home Scams
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from work-from-home scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a work-from-home job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a work-from-home job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
What to do if you’re a victim of a work-from-home scam
If you think you’ve been a victim of a work-from-home scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Reporting work-from-home scams
It’s important to report work-from-home scams so that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies can track down the scammers and bring them to justice. You can report a work-from-home scam to the FTC online at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from work-from-home scams. If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, report it to the FTC and take steps to protect your personal information.
10 Types Of Work-From-Home Scams That Are Prevalent In 2023
- Envelope stuffing: Scammers offer people jobs stuffing envelopes from home. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any work.
- Product assembly: Scammers offer people jobs assembling products from home. They typically send the victim the materials they need to assemble the products, but they never pay them for their work.
- Data entry: Scammers offer people jobs entering data from home. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any data to enter.
- Reselling merchandise: Scammers offer people jobs reselling merchandise from home. They typically send the victim the merchandise to sell, but they never pay them for the merchandise they sell.
- Secret shopper: Scammers offer people jobs as secret shoppers. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any assignments.
- Internet research: Scammers offer people jobs doing internet research. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any research tasks.
- Customer service: Scammers offer people jobs doing customer service from home. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any customer service calls.
- Medical transcription: Scammers offer people jobs transcribing medical records from home. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any medical records to transcribe.
- Virtual assistant: Scammers offer people jobs as virtual assistants. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any work.
- Work-from-home training: Scammers offer people training programs that promise to teach them how to get work-from-home jobs. They typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never provide any training.
Envelope Stuffing
Envelope stuffing is a type of work-from-home scam where victims are promised jobs stuffing envelopes from home. The scammers typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any work.
The scam works like this: the victim sees an ad online or in the mail that promises a high-paying job stuffing envelopes from home. The ad typically says that the victim can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars per week for a few hours of work each day.
To apply for the job, the victim is asked to pay a fee, which is usually between $25 and $100. The scammer claims that the fee is necessary to cover the cost of training or materials.
Once the victim pays the fee, they are sent a list of companies that are supposedly hiring for envelope stuffing jobs. However, these companies are actually just fronts for the scammers.
The victim is then asked to start stuffing envelopes. However, they never receive any work. The scammers simply keep the victim’s money and disappear.
Envelope stuffing scams are a common type of work-from-home scam. They are easy to spot because they promise high-paying jobs with very little work. If you see an ad for an envelope stuffing job, it is best to avoid it.
Here are some tips to help you avoid envelope stuffing scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a work-from-home job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a work-from-home job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of an envelope stuffing scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Product Assembly
Product assembly is a type of work-from-home scam where victims are promised jobs assembling products from home. The scammers typically require the victim to pay a fee upfront, and then they never send any work.
The scam works like this: the victim sees an ad online or in the mail that promises a high-paying job assembling products from home. The ad typically says that the victim can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars per week for a few hours of work each day.
To apply for the job, the victim is asked to pay a fee, which is usually between $25 and $100. The scammer claims that the fee is necessary to cover the cost of training or materials.
Once the victim pays the fee, they are sent a kit that contains the necessary tools and instructions to assemble the products. However, the victim never receives any work. The scammers simply keep the victim’s money and disappear.
Product assembly scams are a common type of work-from-home scam. They are easy to spot because they promise high-paying jobs with very little work. If you see an ad for a product assembly job, it is best to avoid it.
Here are some tips to help you avoid product assembly scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a work-from-home job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a work-from-home job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a product assembly scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid work-from-home scams:
- Be skeptical of jobs that are advertised on social media or in unsolicited emails. Legitimate companies usually post job openings on their own websites or through job boards.
- Be wary of jobs that require you to pay a fee upfront. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront for a job.
- Do your research before applying for a job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate. You can also search for the company’s name on the Better Business Bureau website to see if there have been any complaints filed against them.
- Talk to friends, family, or colleagues who work from home to get their recommendations. They may be able to give you some tips on how to find a legitimate work-from-home job.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from work-from-home scams.
Data Entry
Data entry is the process of inputting data into a computer system. This can be done manually or automatically. Data entry jobs are typically entry-level and do not require a lot of specialized skills. However, they can be repetitive and tedious.
There are many different types of data entry jobs, but some of the most common include:
- Data entry clerk: This is the most common type of data entry job. Data entry clerks enter data into computer systems from a variety of sources, such as paper forms, spreadsheets, and databases.
- Medical transcriptionist: Medical transcriptionists transcribe medical records from audio recordings. This requires a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Customer service representative: Customer service representatives enter data into computer systems as part of their job duties. This may include entering customer information, order information, or billing information.
- Virtual assistant: Virtual assistants often perform data entry tasks as part of their job duties. This may include entering customer information, scheduling appointments, or managing email accounts.
Data entry jobs can be found in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, and customer service. The salary for a data entry job can vary depending on the industry, the location, and the level of experience.
If you are considering a data entry job, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Develop your typing skills. This is the most important skill for a data entry job. You should be able to type accurately and quickly.
- Be familiar with different types of data entry software. There are many different data entry software programs available. You should be familiar with the most common ones.
- Be able to follow instructions carefully. Data entry jobs often require you to follow instructions carefully. You should be able to read and understand instructions and then complete the task accurately.
If you are interested in a data entry job, there are a few resources you can use to find one:
- Online job boards: There are many online job boards that list data entry jobs. You can search for jobs by location, industry, and keyword.
- Recruiting agencies: Recruiting agencies can help you find data entry jobs. They will typically have a database of open positions and can help you match your skills and experience with the right job.
- Networking: Networking with people who work in data entry can help you find job openings. You can attend industry events, join online forums, or connect with people on LinkedIn.
Data entry jobs can be a good way to get started in a career in information technology. They can also be a good way to earn extra income or to work from home. If you are looking for a job that requires accuracy, attention to detail, and basic computer skills, then a data entry job may be a good fit for you.
Secret shopper
A secret shopper is a person who is hired by a company to pose as a customer and evaluate the company’s products, services, or employees. Secret shoppers typically complete tasks such as making purchases, asking questions, or observing the behavior of employees. They then submit a report to the company with their findings.
Secret shoppers are used by companies to improve their customer service, identify areas where they can improve their products or services, and ensure that their employees are following company policies. They can also be used to gather market research data.
There are many different types of secret shopper jobs, but some of the most common include:
- Retail secret shoppers: Retail secret shoppers visit stores and evaluate the customer service they receive. They may also be asked to make purchases and assess the quality of the products.
- Restaurant secret shoppers: Restaurant secret shoppers dine at restaurants and evaluate the food, service, and atmosphere. They may also be asked to complete a survey or provide feedback on the restaurant’s website.
- Hotel secret shoppers: Hotel secret shoppers stay at hotels and evaluate the cleanliness, amenities, and service. They may also be asked to complete a survey or provide feedback on the hotel’s website.
Secret shopper jobs can be found in a variety of industries, including retail, restaurants, hotels, and healthcare. The salary for a secret shopper job can vary depending on the industry, the location, and the level of experience.
If you are interested in becoming a secret shopper, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Research different companies that hire secret shoppers. There are many different companies that hire secret shoppers, so it is important to research different companies and find one that is a good fit for you.
- Develop your observation skills. Secret shoppers need to be able to observe and evaluate the customer service they receive, the quality of the products they purchase, or the atmosphere of the restaurant they dine at.
- Be able to write clear and concise reports. Secret shoppers are typically required to submit a report of their findings to the company. This report should be clear and concise, and it should highlight the areas where the company can improve.
If you are interested in becoming a secret shopper, there are a few resources you can use to find a job:
- Online job boards: There are many online job boards that list secret shopper jobs. You can search for jobs by location, industry, and keyword.
- Recruiting agencies: Recruiting agencies can help you find secret shopper jobs. They will typically have a database of open positions and can help you match your skills and experience with the right job.
- Networking: Networking with people who work as secret shoppers can help you find job openings. You can attend industry events, join online forums, or connect with people on LinkedIn.
Secret shopper jobs can be a great way to earn extra income or to get started in a career in customer service. If you are looking for a job that requires observation skills, writing skills, and the ability to interact with people, then a secret shopper job may be a good fit for you.
Internet Research
Internet research is a type of scam where scammers pose as legitimate companies or individuals in order to trick victims into giving them personal or financial information. They often target people who are looking for work-from-home jobs or who are interested in making extra money.
Scammers may use a variety of methods to contact victims, such as:
- Sending unsolicited emails: Scammers may send unsolicited emails that offer victims jobs that seem too good to be true. These emails may promise high-paying jobs with very little work.
- Posting fake job ads: Scammers may post fake job ads on websites or social media. These ads may look legitimate, but they are actually scams.
- Contacting victims through social media: Scammers may contact victims through social media, such as LinkedIn or Facebook. They may pose as recruiters or hiring managers from legitimate companies.
Once scammers have contacted victims, they will often ask for personal information, such as:
- Social security number: Scammers may ask for victims’ social security numbers in order to open bank accounts or credit cards in their name.
- Bank account information: Scammers may ask for victims’ bank account information in order to deposit money into their accounts.
- Credit card information: Scammers may ask for victims’ credit card information in order to charge them for fees or products.
Once scammers have obtained victims’ personal information, they may use it to commit fraud, such as identity theft or credit card fraud. They may also use the information to contact victims’ friends and family in order to get more money.
If you are contacted by someone who offers you a job that seems too good to be true, be wary. Do not give out any personal information unless you are sure that the person is legitimate. You can also check the company’s website or social media pages to see if they are a legitimate company.
Here are some tips to help you avoid work-from-home scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a work-from-home job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a work-from-home job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a work-from-home scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Customer Service
Customer service is a type of scam where scammers pose as legitimate companies or individuals in order to trick victims into giving them personal or financial information. They often target people who are looking for work-from-home jobs or who are interested in making extra money.
Scammers may use a variety of methods to contact victims, such as:
- Sending unsolicited emails: Scammers may send unsolicited emails that offer victims jobs that seem too good to be true. These emails may promise high-paying jobs with very little work.
- Posting fake job ads: Scammers may post fake job ads on websites or social media. These ads may look legitimate, but they are actually scams.
- Contacting victims through social media: Scammers may contact victims through social media, such as LinkedIn or Facebook. They may pose as recruiters or hiring managers from legitimate companies.
Once scammers have contacted victims, they will often ask for personal information, such as:
- Social security number: Scammers may ask for victims’ social security numbers in order to open bank accounts or credit cards in their name.
- Bank account information: Scammers may ask for victims’ bank account information in order to deposit money into their accounts.
- Credit card information: Scammers may ask for victims’ credit card information in order to charge them for fees or products.
Once scammers have obtained victims’ personal information, they may use it to commit fraud, such as identity theft or credit card fraud. They may also use the information to contact victims’ friends and family in order to get more money.
If you are contacted by someone who offers you a job that seems too good to be true, be wary. Do not give out any personal information unless you are sure that the person is legitimate. You can also check the company’s website or social media pages to see if they are a legitimate company.
Here are some tips to help you avoid work-from-home scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a work-from-home job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a work-from-home job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a work-from-home scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid customer service scams:
- Be wary of jobs that require you to work from home and only communicate with the company via email. Legitimate companies will typically have a physical office and allow you to speak to a human representative if you have any questions.
- Be suspicious of jobs that offer very high wages for little work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never pay any money upfront for a job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or anything else before you start working.
- Do your research on the company before you apply for a job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to see if they have a good reputation.
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a job offer that seems suspicious.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from customer service scams.
Medical Transcription
Medical transcription is a type of work-from-home scam where scammers pose as legitimate medical transcription companies in order to trick victims into giving them personal or financial information. They often target people who are looking for work-from-home jobs or who are interested in making extra money.
Scammers may use a variety of methods to contact victims, such as:
- Sending unsolicited emails: Scammers may send unsolicited emails that offer victims jobs transcribing medical records. These emails may promise high-paying jobs with very little work.
- Posting fake job ads: Scammers may post fake job ads on websites or social media. These ads may look legitimate, but they are actually scams.
- Contacting victims through social media: Scammers may contact victims through social media, such as LinkedIn or Facebook. They may pose as recruiters or hiring managers from legitimate medical transcription companies.
Once scammers have contacted victims, they will often ask for personal information, such as:
- Social security number: Scammers may ask for victims’ social security numbers in order to open bank accounts or credit cards in their name.
- Bank account information: Scammers may ask for victims’ bank account information in order to deposit money into their accounts.
- Credit card information: Scammers may ask for victims’ credit card information in order to charge them for fees or products.
Once scammers have obtained victims’ personal information, they may use it to commit fraud, such as identity theft or credit card fraud. They may also use the information to contact victims’ friends and family in order to get more money.
If you are contacted by someone who offers you a job transcribing medical records that seems too good to be true, be wary. Do not give out any personal information unless you are sure that the company is legitimate. You can also check the company’s website or social media pages to see if they are a legitimate company.
Here are some tips to help you avoid medical transcription scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a medical transcription job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a medical transcription job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a medical transcription scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid medical transcription scams:
- Be wary of jobs that require you to work from home and only communicate with the company via email. Legitimate companies will typically have a physical office and allow you to speak to a human representative if you have any questions.
- Be suspicious of jobs that offer very high wages for little work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never pay any money upfront for a job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or anything else before you start working.
- Do your research on the company before you apply for a job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to see if they have a good reputation.
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a job offer that seems suspicious.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from medical transcription scams.
Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant is a type of work-from-home scam where scammers pose as legitimate companies or individuals in order to trick victims into giving them personal or financial information. They often target people who are looking for work-from-home jobs or who are interested in making extra money.
Scammers may use a variety of methods to contact victims, such as:
- Sending unsolicited emails: Scammers may send unsolicited emails that offer victims jobs as virtual assistants. These emails may promise high-paying jobs with very little work.
- Posting fake job ads: Scammers may post fake job ads on websites or social media. These ads may look legitimate, but they are actually scams.
- Contacting victims through social media: Scammers may contact victims through social media, such as LinkedIn or Facebook. They may pose as recruiters or hiring managers from legitimate virtual assistant companies.
Once scammers have contacted victims, they will often ask for personal information, such as:
- Social security number: Scammers may ask for victims’ social security numbers in order to open bank accounts or credit cards in their name.
- Bank account information: Scammers may ask for victims’ bank account information in order to deposit money into their accounts.
- Credit card information: Scammers may ask for victims’ credit card information in order to charge them for fees or products.
Once scammers have obtained victims’ personal information, they may use it to commit fraud, such as identity theft or credit card fraud. They may also use the information to contact victims’ friends and family in order to get more money.
If you are contacted by someone who offers you a job as a virtual assistant that seems too good to be true, be wary. Do not give out any personal information unless you are sure that the company is legitimate. You can also check the company’s website or social media pages to see if they are a legitimate company.
Here are some tips to help you avoid virtual assistant scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a virtual assistant job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a virtual assistant job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a virtual assistant scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid virtual assistant scams:
- Be wary of jobs that require you to work from home and only communicate with the company via email. Legitimate companies will typically have a physical office and allow you to speak to a human representative if you have any questions.
- Be suspicious of jobs that offer very high wages for little work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never pay any money upfront for a job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or anything else before you start working.
- Do your research on the company before you apply for a job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to see if they have a good reputation.
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a job offer that seems suspicious.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from virtual assistant scams.
Work-From-Home Training
Work-from-home training is a type of scam where scammers pose as legitimate companies or individuals in order to trick victims into paying for training programs that are not worth the money. They often target people who are looking for work-from-home jobs or who are interested in making extra money.
Scammers may use a variety of methods to contact victims, such as:
- Sending unsolicited emails: Scammers may send unsolicited emails that offer victims training programs that promise high-paying jobs with very little work.
- Posting fake job ads: Scammers may post fake job ads on websites or social media. These ads may look legitimate, but they are actually scams.
- Contacting victims through social media: Scammers may contact victims through social media, such as LinkedIn or Facebook. They may pose as recruiters or hiring managers from legitimate companies.
Once scammers have contacted victims, they will often ask for money to pay for the training program. They may also ask for personal information, such as:
- Social security number: Scammers may ask for victims’ social security numbers in order to open bank accounts or credit cards in their name.
- Bank account information: Scammers may ask for victims’ bank account information in order to deposit money into their accounts.
- Credit card information: Scammers may ask for victims’ credit card information in order to charge them for fees or products.
Once scammers have obtained victims’ money or personal information, they will disappear. Victims will never receive the training program, and they may be left with a financial loss.
If you are contacted by someone who offers you a training program that seems too good to be true, be wary. Do not give out any money or personal information unless you are sure that the company is legitimate. You can also check the company’s website or social media pages to see if they are a legitimate company.
Here are some tips to help you avoid work-from-home training scams:
- Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true. If a job offer promises you a lot of money for very little work, it’s probably a scam.
- Do your research before applying for a work-from-home training program. Check the company’s website and social media pages to make sure they’re legitimate.
- Never pay money upfront for a work-from-home training program. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront.
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Scammers may ask you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal information. Don’t give out this information unless you’re sure the company is legitimate.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a work-from-home training scam, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact your bank or credit card company. If you paid money to the scammer, you may be able to get your money back.
- Change your passwords. Scammers may have access to your personal information, so it’s important to change your passwords for your bank accounts, email accounts, and other online accounts.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid work-from-home training scams:
- Be wary of jobs that require you to work from home and only communicate with the company via email. Legitimate companies will typically have a physical office and allow you to speak to a human representative if you have any questions.
- Be suspicious of jobs that offer very high wages for little work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
- Never pay any money upfront for a job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or anything else before you start working.
- Do your research on the company before you apply for a job. Check the company’s website and social media pages to see if they have a good reputation.
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a job offer that seems suspicious.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from work-from-home training scams.
