Telecommute Job Scams: Are you being Cautious?
As telecommuting becomes more popular, so does the frequency of related job scams. The allure of working from home can sometimes lead job seekers to overlook the red flags associated with fraudulent job offers.
Recognizing Scams:
Remember, any job that requires you to pay money upfront is likely a scam. High-earning promises such as “Be Your Own Boss!” or “Earn Hundreds from Your Couch!” should trigger skepticism. Scammers thrive in economic downturns, targeting those desperate for income. Familiar scams include envelope stuffing where you pay for a startup kit but get no actual work, or rebate processing jobs that never materialize beyond selling advice on finding these jobs.
Scam Variations:
Some scams cleverly mimic legitimate opportunities, such as work-from-home roles in medical billing and coding, making them harder to identify. Always verify such claims by requesting references or directly contacting the alleged outsourcing medical offices.
Staying Safe:
To protect yourself:
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers.
- Research companies thoroughly before applying.
- Use trusted telecommute job boards and resources.
- Report any scam encounters to bodies like the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, or your state’s Attorney General’s office.
Despite the prevalence of scams, legitimate telecommuting opportunities exist and can be found with careful research and diligence. Begin your search by exploring verified job boards that offer genuine remote positions without requiring upfront payments.
We want to make this easy for you, so to start your search for legitimate telecommute jobs, view the below job boards:
100% Telecommute Jobs