Are Work From Home Online Jobs A Scam?

If you've done any research on the internet, you have no doubt wondered: Are work from home online jobs a scam?

The short answer is that there are scams, but there are just as many (or more!) legitimate work from home opportunities.

How Do I Know What's a Scam?

The first and most obvious question to ask yourself is:

Does it sound too good to be true? - If it does sound too good to be true, then it probably is. Let's face it, if making millions of dollars was truly as easy as pushing a couple of buttons, don't you think you would know plenty of millionaires by now? Don't believe the hype.

As much as search engines, web hosts, and other legitimate internet sources try to get rid of scams and scammers, new ones crop up daily.

Are work from home online jobs a scam when you're paying for training material? Some of these scams involve (you) purchasing some material (books, products, etc.) which then prompt you to encourage other people to sign up to do the same exact thing. For example, a popular scam tactic involves "data entry" where you are offered a data entry typing position. After purchasing the material, you are told to create ads for data entry typing positions. The only data entry involved is typing ads for the data entry product itself. There is no real service provided.

Another popular scam is stuffing envelopes. This involves getting you to purchase the documents to learn how to stuff envelopes at home for money. Once you purchase the documents, you're then told to sign up your friends and family to stuff envelopes, also.

The only people getting rich from these scams are the people who created them.


Are Work from Home Online Jobs a Scam Checklist

  • Does it sound too good to be true? - if it does, then it probably is.
  • Does the opportunity provide a solid guarantee? - any legitimate company should offer a money back guarantee.
  • Is the company contact information easily found on their website? - avoid opportunities where you can't find any contact information.
  • Is the company asking you to do something that sounds illegal? - avoid anything involving check or wire transfers, especially international transactions.
  • Did you get the opportunity in your email? - If you received spam, consider that most legitimate companies do not use spam to attract clients. (some affiliates for legitimate companies do, however, sometimes use spam, and you may want to report the activity to the company).
  • Is the product or service website extremely vague about what they're offering? - Some of these might be legal (many are reminiscent of "pyramid schemes"), but take extra caution when you encounter an opportunity that doesn't specifically tell you what they do or what products they offer. If a company says you'll make a ton of money with your "downline" by not actually doing anything, run the other way!


If you're unsure of whether something sounds fraudulent or not, do some research. If you discover a scam during your research, be sure to report the business to your country's internet watchdog group.

You should have enough information now to answer the question "Are work from home online jobs a scam" in order to focus on opportunities that are legitimate, and will allow you to make real money working from home.


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