Avoid work-at-home scams

- It is estimated that for every one legitimate remote job opportunity, there are 60 scams. 60, that's a lot, but don't let that discourage you. If you're looking to find a remote job, now has never been a better time. Gallup studies have shown that 37% of US workers reported telecommuting in 2015. However, because that demand is also so high, the number of scams for remote jobs has also increased. In this video, I want to help you identify some common job scam tactics, so you can be safer and confident when looking for a remote job.

So, what are the warning signs of a remote job scam? Well, if a job description is short but talks repeatedly about the flexible nature of the work, consider that to be a red flag. Real job postings include lots of detail about the actual job and the skills required. If a job sounds too good to be true, it also probably is. Job postings boasting a low amount of effort and a large amount of pay, also likely to be a red flag. For example, make $1,000 a week from your couch stuffing envelopes.

This is a case of really just trusting your instincts. If the job is promising well above the market rate for this position, then just proceed with high caution. To help you avoid some of these scams, researching the company can help. Before applying for any online opportunity, just type in the name of the company and the word scam. If it's one of the many bogus jobs that are out there, you'll quickly find web-based complaints about it, and because job scammers are savvier than others, you should always do a thorough background check on any organization you're applying to.

This includes reviewing records with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and scam.com. Also, you'll want to see if the person e-mailing you has a company e-mail address. Just be weary of hiring managers that have Gmail, Hotmail, or other generic e-mail addresses. One of the biggest red flags is when an employer asks applicants to pay cash up front. Employers are supposed to be paying you, not the other way around, so don't be fooled by employee testimonials, or lofty claims, or guaranteed programs designed to put $1,000 a month in your pocket.

More often than not, you shouldn't be paying anything. Now, don't confuse these scams with hiring a legitimate recruiter, or paid subscription-based job board like FlexJobs. If an employer is asking for money up front in order to be hired, they are probably stealing from you. Another thing to consider is that many job scammers out there are to steal more than just your cash. They're after your identity too, so avoid remote job opportunities that ask for too much information up front, like your social security card, or your birth date, or your driver's license, or even your credit card info.

If this happens, stop communication immediately. With all these warning signs I've shared with you, what does a legitimate job look like? Well, it consists of a real hiring manager from a real company that you can find information about either online or from talking with them. They will interview you and allow you to ask questions, and will rarely ask for sensitive information or cash up front. If you're in doubt, do your research, or you can even ask to speak to another employee on the team to get a sense for the team dynamic, and a feel just for the day to day aspects of the job.

There are still lots of legitimate remote opportunities out there, and if you're able to navigate through the scams, your chances of finding them are gonna be that much better.