How to Avoid Scams -- Work-at-Home Business Opportunities

While there are many things you can do in your spare time for extra cash, there are some areas to avoid completely.

The Better Business Bureau warns work-at-home job hunters to steer clear of rebate processing work-at Home offers. The bureau says hundreds of complaints have been filed against two California companies: Rebate Processor Jobs.com and Process At Home.com. The bureau gives both an “F” rating for (among other things failing to respond to complaints and using “grossly misleading” advertising.

In addition, the sour economy is good news for work-at-home scammers, and will try and exploit your good senses for a quick buck. They’re flooding the Internet with bogus ads and get-rich-quick opportunities. The sites look professional.

“There are legitimate work at home opportunities,” says Colleen Robbins with the Federal Trade Commission. “But consumers need to be wary because there are a lot that are not.” Follow these simple rules and you won’t get burned:

Avoid any offer that promises you’ll make a lot of money for very little work.
Don’t rely on a money-back guarantee. Con artists rarely give money back.
Be skeptical of all testimonials. They can be bought or simply made up.
See if the Better Business Bureau has a Reliability Report on the company. Check with your state Consumer Protection of Attorney General’s office. Just remember, the absence of complaints does not necessarily mean the company is legitimate.
Never give a credit card, debit card or checking account number to any person or company that promises employment. If they wantyou to pay them it’s a scam!