Work From Home Scams

How to check into the authenticity
of a work at home opportunity

There are so many unethical and fraudulent work-at-home establishments, online and off, that it is wise to be cautious. When you come across an opportunity that you want to pursue ... but you feel that slight tug of skepticism ... do a little digging to prove it's a legitimate offer.

Here are some ways to actively check out the legitimacy or authenticity of a particular company offering a work at home opportunity. The resources given mostly apply to the United States, but very similar actions can be taken in many countries.

1. Go to the website of the company in question and review the "About" and/or "Contact Us" pages. Look for a physical address. If there isn't one listed - that's a red flag. If it is only a P.O. Box, that could be a red flag. If it truly is a "company" with a brick and mortar building, there should be a physical address a person could actually visit.
   
   If you've got a mailing address, go to www.usps.com (United States Postal Service), do a Zip Code search, and make sure it is deliverable.
   
   
2. If you were a prospective customer (not worker) of this business, could you find it easily enough? Go to an online Yellow Pages (http://www.yellowpages.com), enter the business name and city, and see if it is listed as represented, if at all.
   
   Next, perform a general search in Google ... just type in the company name and see what results you get.
   
   Last, add the word "scam" after the company name and search through forums, blogs and other social networks to see what others might be saying.
   
   
3. Check for ratings or complaints at:
   Dun & Bradstreet (http://www.dnb.com/us/)
   Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org)
   Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov)
   
   or similar institutions appropriate in your country.
   
   
4. Next, verify the phone listing. Go to Google search (www.google.com) and enter the phone number, including area code, into the search box. An established business will produce numerous, legitimate search results. Try typing in the phone number of a company in your area to see what I mean.
   
   
5. Back to the website, attempt to verify any testimonials provided by typing the referenced name and company name into Google. Are they real companies, people or websites? Are they the same testimonials other websites are claiming too? Which most likely means they aren't REAL testimonials?
   
   
6. Go to Who Is (http://www.whois.net/) to find out who owns the domain name of the website/company in question. Be sure to include "http://" and the extension (i.e. .com or .org).
   
   Not only can you verify the owner, but you'll find out when the domain was created and when it expires. If the website is new or the domain is only reserved for a year ... you might want to ask some questions to prove legitimacy.
   
   
7. Go to dnScoop (http://www.dnscoop.com/). Here you'll want to note how many "inbound" links the site has. Inbound links are simply links that other websites list to direct people to the one you are questioning.
   
   For example, the website "dnScoop" that I just mentioned above has an "inbound link" from this site, Data Entry Home Business.com.
   
   If there are no inbound links ... that's unusual and could be a red flag. If there are inbound links, click on them to determine the quality and legitimacy of those websites who refer their visitors to the site you are checking on.
   
   
8. If the company claims to be incorporated in any way, and you have the state where they claim to be located ... go to the corresponding Secretary of State website and verify that it is registered.
   
   Click here to view a list of Secretary of State sites in the U.S.
   
   
9. Does the company represent themselves professionally? Is the website complete, easy to navigate with working links, and pleasing to a prospective customer?
   
   Do the hard copy materials contain a business logo and professional layout? Are they associated with other legitimate websites or companies (i.e. useful links, resources, etc.)?
   
   
10. If you have a first and last name of a company representative, you can type it in a Google search box to possibly find articles, press releases, directories or other gems of information.
    
    

Don't hesitate to contact the company you are considering and ask them specific questions based on your findings. Tell them that any information they can provide that will legitimize their company and its services will be greatly appreciated.

They should most certainly agree with your position that it's better to be safe than sorry ... and therefore be happy to cooperate.

If you find they are not ethical or could possibly scam others ... REPORT THEM to the Federal Trade Commission. (http://www.FTC.gov).

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