Posted on 01/11/2009 11:32:57 AM PST by Graybeard58
In November, the unemployment rate hit a 14-year high of 6.7 percent. For people who prey on unemployed workers, the high jobless rate is an opportunity to scam vulnerable job seekers out of their money and personal data.
Scam artists know that when times get rough and bills are due, even the most sophisticated job hunters can fall prey to their employment schemes.
That's why all job seekers should educate themselves about job scams. Many involve either work-from-home projects or online jobs. The ads are enticing: "Earn $200 a day just by clicking a mouse." "Make $50 to $250 an hour, starting now." "Earn money completing surveys."
I recently clicked on one e-mail that promised, "Work at home, easy work and great pay." The sender included a long testimonial letter telling why he started working for this company. It showed pictures of luxury cars and large homes. All you had to do to earn thousands of dollars a day was sell products on behalf of other companies and you would be paid between 30 percent and 75 percent commission.
To get started, you had to purchase a $49.97 Automated Online Money System. Next the site asked for your name, address and credit card number.
That amount was cheap compared to some others.
Last month, the Federal Trade Commission charged U.S. Work Alliance Inc., also known as Exam Services, a national marketing operation, with violating federal law by deceiving consumers into paying $120 to $140 for materials they thought would help them get federal postal jobs. The materials included a book recounting the history of the postal service, exam instructions and some "practice exams," but nothing about exam dates or job openings.
There may be some real work-at-home and online job opportunities out there, but many are scams. Be aware of basic tips to help know the difference and save yourself the heartache and expense of being victimized.
The FTC recommends that before you agree to start working for such a company, you should ask certain questions and get the answers in writing. The answers should help you determine whether this is the job for you and whether it is legitimate.
Questions to ask:
What tasks will I have to perform? Ask the program sponsor to list every step of the job.
Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission?
Who will pay me?
When will I get my first paycheck?
What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?
Check for complaints against the company with the state consumer protection agency, your state attorney general's office and the Better Business Bureau, but be wary. The absence of complaints doesn't necessarily mean the company is legitimate. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their names or move to avoid detection.
If you have spent money and time on a work-at-home program and now believe the program may not be legitimate, contact the company and ask for a refund. Let company representatives know that you plan to notify officials about your experience. If you can't resolve the dispute with the company, file a complaint with these organizations:
The Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraud and deception. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or visit www.ftc.gov.
The attorney general's office in your state or the state where the company is located. The office will be able to tell you whether you're protected by any state law that may regulate work-at-home programs.
Your local consumer protection offices.
Your local Better Business Bureau.
Hey wait a minute. I’m not going to get paid for what I do here? FR IS A SCAM!!!!
How in the world are you? Hi, I’m Andy Willoughby.
Oh yes, send a $1 and I’ll tell you my “secret to finding a job” secret...” get up early everyday, put on dress clothes, and fill out job applications”
How on Earth could you get paid for forum interaction?
About 6-Month ago my company agreed to allow me to work from home. I had lived away from my family for the past 4 years, that was where the job was.
It has really worked out nicely. I can do anything I did in the office from my home over a VPN connection.
No commute time or fuel cost, no apartment, and I can log-on anytime I want. I have always been an early morning guy. Often at the office between 4:00AM-6:00AM. The only person who would beat me to the office was the morning AS400 computer operator. Sometimes I would beat him. He came in at 4:00AM.
I need the job, they need what I can do. That is a fair deal.
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Why is talk radio full of scams? It seems like every commercial is either a hair growing, sex "enhancement", credit scam, or get-rich-quick scam. Hi I'm Loral Langemeier--some experts say gold will reach $9000 an ounce by--All-natural herbal supplement guaranteed to--are you more than $10,000 in debt? Find out what credit card companies don't want you to know!
Are talk radio listeners really that gullible?
Sack cloth and ashes.
DUH!!! If it did not work they would stop advertising!!!
I was going to get a part-time job to supplement our income. I did a little research about online jobs and was very skeptical about everything I found.
Obama’s recent remarks have put the brakes on the job idea. Why should I work out of the home to only be taxed more? I call it my ‘Shove It Obama’ disobedience plan. I figure I’ll devote my efforts to being even more frugal at home and plant the biggest garden of my life so far, and that will be one huge garden!
The rest of us are so maybe you should check with accounting to be sure they have your credit card number.....Hey, I’m going there, just give it me.
Got 6 pounds larger over the holidays. Didn't need a single pill.
Why is Andy Willoughby advertising on Christian radio stations?
ping to ref
The best way to supplement your income is the “old-fashioned” way.
Get rid of the second car, stay home and cook from scratch, sew and mend the family clothes. Only go out to dinner on very special occasions.
Can or freeze veggies and fruits in season, bake your own bread, cookies, etc., get a library card, cancel cable TV, but keep the internet.
Have hubbie and kids take lunch boxes with Thermos, cut down on utilities, play board games for family entertainment, learn to knit hats, socks, and mittens.
Enjoy buying second-hand for absolutely needed items, etc...
We raised 4 children by following these principles, even through their teens, on a modest and fluctuating income. Some of our best family memories are related to our frugality.
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