QUESTION: I have found a number of ads for work-at-home jobs. How can I determine if these are legitimate businesses or a scam?
ANSWER: An excellent question. My advice is – don’t take their word for it – you need to do your own investigation.
These ads make working-at-home sound like a job made in heaven – you can do it in your “spare” time and make “big money”. Does that sound too good to be true? I would say yes, it’s too good to be true.
I am sure that there are some legitimate work-at-home positions but more than likely there are more that are scams. The ads don’t tell you that you’ll have to work a lot of time with no pay or that to get started you will have to shell out some up-front costs.
Some of the common work-at-home scams include starting your own internet business, envelope stuffing, assembly of crafts or other products, rebate processing, medical billing and mystery shopping. All promise you a lot of help and training but provide you with poorly written and useless training materials.
Clues to the ad being a scam include the need to pay up-front fees and providing credit card information. These ads can and do appear in trusted newspapers and websites. They could also be offered via e-mail and telephone.
You need to ask questions. Determine exactly what the job entails, how you will be paid, who will be paying you and when could you expect your first paycheck after signing for the job.
Go on-line and try to check out the company or individual placing the job offer. Look for complaints or reviews of that company or individual and read what others have to say about their personal experience. Check with the Better Business Bureau or your state Attorney General’s office.
If you have been scammed report the details to the Federal Trade Commission.
You can never be too careful. Do a thorough research before signing.
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HAPPENINGS:
WEDNESDAY – November 28, 1:30 to 3:00 pm – Seminar – “How You Can Help Your Doctor Help You” – at Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive in Westlake Village. For information call (805) 495-6250.
WEDNESDAY – November 28 – 1:30 to 3:00 pm – Diabetes class by Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association – at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. No reservations required.
THURSDAY – November 29 – 9:00 to 10:00 am – Presentation – Ageless Grace Brain Health Fitness – at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. For reservations call (805) 381-2744.
FRIDAY – November 30 – 2:30 to 4:00 pm – Presentation – “What Is A Trustee, Why Do You Need One, and How Do You Get One?” – at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. For reservations call (805) 381-2744.
TUESDAY – December 4 – 4:00 to 5:30 pm – Seminar – Path to Positive Aging Series – “Estate Planning 101” – at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks. For reservations call (805) 497-0189.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY – December 6 – 1:30 to 3:30 pm & December 7 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm – The Simi Valley Performing Arts Group presents ‘WHAT! – A Town Without Christmas” – at Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi in Simi Valley – admission is free. No reservations required.
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With the arrival of Thanksgiving we are now entering the holiday season. I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season.
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Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are located at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 or call (805) 495-6250 or e–mail bberry@seniorconceerns.org (please include your telephone number.) You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.
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