The email inboxes of net-savvy parents are often flooded with home
business scams.
We're prime targets. We know our way around a
computer keyboard, and we love to spend time with our kids, so
we're marked for every home-business opportunity in the book.
And it's true: a lot of us would love
nothing more than to make money and stay at home. That's why
even though we know we can smell a rat a mile away, we're
sometimes tempted...even by those less-than-reputable (and
less-than-ethical) companies that rely on SPAM to get the word
out.
Here are a few tips to avoiding the scams
and finding the right home-based business opportunity for you.
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE... It
probably is. If you find an opportunity for which you can make a
lot of money without spending any time working, move on to the
next opportunity.
VAGUE HEADLINES "Tammy made $4,000 in her
first month. So can you." First of all, who is Tammy?
Testimonials that are difficult to verify may not be legitimate.
If the ad only gives first names and photographs of people
holding scads of cash, be careful. If Tammy is a legitimate
home-working entrepreneur, it's possible that she made that
$4,000 in her first month...and significantly less after that
time period.
Also be wary of companies that offer to
sell you lists of companies that are looking for homeworkers. A
friend of mine once shelled out $95 for such a list, which
turned out to be a listing straight from her yellow pages. When
she contacted these businesses, she discovered that they were
neither looking for home-workers nor did they agree to be listed
in such a book.
THE OVERHYPED Be leery if there is a
strict time limit for investing in a business opportunity.
Scammers know that the faster you act, the less you think (and
research). And if this is a fly-by-night company, these time
limits provide a better opportunity to take the money and run.
Also, don't get too excited about deep
discounts on starting costs. More costs may come later. And keep
in mind that, in many states, the government does not regulate
business opportunities with investments of less than $500. Some
of the worst scams may fall into this category.
RESEARCH Use your knowledge of the
internet to avoid being scammed. Check for listings with the
National Fraud Information Center (http://www.fraud.org/)
as well as the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org)
You can also conduct a search for the
business opportunities on Google Groups (http://www.groups.google.com)
Here you'll find an archive of newsgroup postings. If someone
has been scammed, chances are they'll want to warn others.
IF YOU DECIDE TO SIGN... Get everything in
writing, including business expenses-- from fees to equipment to
supplies. Will the company refund any of your initial investment
if you change your mind? Keep detailed records.
Some online opportunities are lucrative
and legitimate, and--armed with a few online resources--it's
never been easier to sort the good from the bad.
When it comes to working from home, "when
there's a will, there's a way." Now it's up to you to find the
way that best suits you and your lifestyle.
About the Author:
Susie Michelle Cortright
Susie Michelle Cortright
http://www.momscape.com
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