The Truth About "Work At Home" And The Internet

Why Work-At-Home Scams Exist & How To Stop Them
Since you've decided to use the internet to help you reach your goal of working at home, a crucial first step will be for you to familiarize yourself with what you'll find in the way of work at home "jobs" and "opportunities" on the internet. 

If you're tempted to skip this chapter, be advised, without this knowledge you'll be most vulnerable to being swindled by work-at-home scam artists and "employers."  And, you'll be most vulnerable to becoming unwittingly involved in helping them to promote their programs, and helping them to continue their deception (this assumes, of course, that you do not desire to be used in this way).  

Please believe me, I know what I'm talking about.  

Much of what I now know about work at home scams and deceptions -- what I'm sharing with you in this ebook -- was learned as a result of falling victim myself, not once, but several times and for different schemes.  In every single instance, I got taken because I was either curious and/or I didn't realize that I was engaging in illegal activity.  

So what you're about to read is not assumed.  Nor have I copied and pasted the same basic information that can be found on most scam-reporting sites.  In most cases, I'm sharing my actual, first-hand account of my experience with these "opportunities."  Where I did not have personal experience, I've either provided (by permission) the personal experience of someone who did, or have provided links to other credible, well-respected sources of information regarding these schemes.  

Again, I want to be as careful as possible to share with you the TRUTH about this category (work at home) of schemes and deceptions -- not what I think or have assumed the truth might be. 

I've also provided access to other valuable resources that will help shed light on the reasons why a particular scheme or deception is illegal.  I've done this because I've learned that it's not enough to simply say, "you should stay away from that."  If you don't understand why you should, you'll still be vulnerable to being burned.

Work at home scams, deceptions, and fraud abound -- online and offline -- for three reasons:  

• against their better judgment (that "little voice" that tells them not to do it), people choose to satisfy their curiosity about an offer, and purchase a product or service "to see if it's for real," or

• people aren't aware that what they are doing is illegal, or 

• they know that what they are doing is illegal, but they choose to deceive or defraud.

Most work-at-home scammers who operate their schemes on the internet are counting on you being so anxious to find home-based work, that you'll simply fork over your money to the first opportunity you find (and, they're hoping it will be theirs).  

Other scammers will give you a little more credit -- but not much.  They know that you probably won't fall for the FIRST opportunity.  No, they believe that you'll be more likely to go for the one that sounds professional, reasonable, and credible, and they'll go to great lengths to create Web sites and ads that look and sound completely honest and legitimate.

In either case, these unscrupulous individuals are seeking to exploit consumer's ignorance about their schemes.  They are betting that you won't FIRST take the time to learn about the various kinds of scams and deceptions that are out there.  And, many of these thieves are winning the bet -- BIG TIME!  

Those who seek to defraud you are getting rich because most people either don't or won't take the time to educate themselves about the internet, and about the most common work at home scams and deceptions they'll encounter.  

Unless you're interested in lining their pockets too, or unless you're interested in unwittingly taking part in promoting a work at home deception -- in other words, becoming a scammer yourself -- I strongly recommend that you take the time to read this section, as well as the information you'll find at the links I've provided.  

Regardless of whether you have already been victimized, or have just begun your search, or have been searching for a legitimate work at home opportunity for some time, and have had the good fortune to avoid being scammed, please, please, please take the time to read this information. 

Think of it this way -- searching for legitimate home-based work can be likened to going into battle.  Your enemies (scammers), are waiting to slay you and steal all that you have.  Would you consider going into battle unprotected?  Unless you have a death wish, I think not.  

Therefore, a bit of "basic training" is needed first.  Learn as much as you can about your enemies.  Understand how they work, what tactics they use (and, how you can easily spot them).  And, above all, learn how to protect yourself, by learning how to evaluate the legitimacy of ads and Web sites promising work at home.

Arm yourself with knowledge, and you'll win the battle!   

Now, before we go any further, the most important thing I want you to remember is this:  no legitimate employer will charge you a fee to hire you.  

Repeat after me:  I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER PAY A FEE FOR A JOB!  

Whether you're applying for a work at home job or a "regular" job, no legitimate employer will EVER charge you a fee to work for them as an employee of the company.  I don't care what the Web site or ad says the fee is for: administrative fee, training fee, materials fee, set up fee, it doesn't matter.  If they use the words "job," "employment," "hire," or "employee," and are charging you a fee, IT'S NOT A REAL JOB.  

There are no "what if's" here.  Use your common sense.  Rely on what you already know to be true.  No legitimate employer says, "I will hire you, but you have to pay me first."  

The only difference between a home-based or work at home job and "regular" job, is where you are located when you perform the work.  In other words, the rules for getting hired in a home-based job are no different from a "regular" job that you'll perform outside of your home.  In neither case will you have to pay the employer first.  So, if what you want is a real job -- to be hired and employed by a company -- and, if that "employer" tells you that you have to pay a fee in order for that to happen, run like the wind.  :o)

Now, listen carefully:  Work at home scams abound, I believe, because regular people like you and me continue to get involved as a result of a lack of knowledge and understanding regarding these schemes.  Most people aren't aware that what they are doing is illegal.  In fact, you're about to learn that I too, had unknowingly involved myself in a few of these deceptions.  But, the good news is, when I learned the truth, I stopped what I was doing immediately (and, contrary to what you may think, the vast majority of people do as well).

Now, I live in the real world just like you do.  And, I know that human nature being what it is, "get rich quick" scams and deceptions of this kind are not likely to disappear altogether.  But, they can be significantly reduced.  

How?  Well, if you want to see them go away, you must be the change that you want to see.   In other words, you must take personal responsibility to educate yourself, stop what you are doing when you learn the truth, and/or not get involved with these "opportunities" in the first place, if you ever encounter them.  

The power of choice is yours, and if you exercise that power wisely and responsibly by choosing not to purchase or participate in these scams and deceptions, there will be change.

Think about it -- if no one paid money for these "opportunities," the people who are trying to sell them wouldn't make any money.  Since the existence of these "opportunities" have their roots in the pursuit of money, it's reasonable to conclude that scammers would eventually stop trying to sell them once they see that no one is buying.  A ripple effect will occur, as the deception simply can't and won't continue if no one is buying into it.   

That's one reason why chain letters and other kinds of illegal pyramid schemes always eventually fail -- they are dependent upon continued "buy-in."  If people stop circulating them or stop buying in, the scam itself dies.  The bottom line:  the life of every scheme is dependent upon human participation.  If no one participates, the scheme dies.  

It really is that simple.

Change, whether positive or negative, happens one person at a time.  If each one of us took the time to educate ourselves, and one another, about the kinds of schemes that are out there, and stopped giving away our hard-earned money to them; if each one of us refused to continue the deceit by "recruiting" or persuading others to get involved; and, if each one of us had the courage to do what is right, and find ways to earn a living from home by exercising integrity and operating within the law -- this is how change will occur on the internet, and anywhere else that scams and deceit are found.  

Oh, sorry, let me climb down off my soapbox.  :o)

But, I just get fired up when I see innocent people getting taken.  People who are only seeking to put food in their child's mouth, or to keep a roof over their heads are being lied to every day.  I'm compelled to do what I can to increase awareness, and to expose what's really happening so that people are given a fair chance to protect themselves, and to learn how to make money at home legitimately.  This is what I am doing to be the change that I want to see.

And, if every person who learned the truth acted responsibly, and shared what they'd learned with someone else, and if that person acted responsibly, and so on, fewer people would be victimized and we WOULD see positive change.  

A beautiful, sandy beach is not created by one grain of sand, but by many grains gathered together.  :o)

What follows is a discussion about the kinds of work at home scams and deceptions you'll find on the internet.  We'll also take a look at what you should look for when evaluating the legitimacy of ads and Web sites promising work at home.  And, finally, we'll briefly review the options you have available to you for earning a living at home legitimately.  

This discussion is meant to shed some light on the truth about the work at home "industry," and to help you to avoid being victimized.  For the purpose of this discussion, please keep the following definitions in mind:

1.  job - a position held or work performed in or as part of an occupation.

2.  employment - a work arrangement whereby a business (the employer) employs an individual (the employee) to perform a given task or tasks in exchange for wages and other benefits.  Businesses are required to adhere to certain statues, regulations, and standards governing the payment of wages, taxes, and other requirements related to this kind of work arrangement.

3.  scam - a fraudulent scheme.  In the case of work at home scams, you don't receive what you were led to believe you would receive either because 

• the facts describing the opportunity were misrepresented

• no product or service is delivered after payment is rendered, or 

• you were, without your knowledge and consent, charged additional or hidden fees either during or after your purchase.

4.  deceive - to mislead by a false appearance or statement.  

Common Work-At-Home & "Get Rich Quick" Scams and Deceptions

Home typist, ad typist, independent typist, data entry, and other clerical home-based "jobs"
I've observed that many people, regardless of any other professional skills or abilities they may have, are looking for a way to use their typing, data entry, or word processing skills to earn a living from home. 

Typist, data entry processor, and word processor are three jobs that are definitely well-suited for home-based work, especially given today's technology.  Unfortunately, though, the demand for these types of home-based positions makes them virtually impossible to locate, let alone secure.  Additionally, because many companies have no problem locating personnel who are willing to work onsite, finding legitimate jobs like these can be much like looking for a needle in a haystack.

This significant imbalance between the "advertised" supply of these types of jobs, versus the demand for them, is common knowledge among most work at home "employers" on the internet.  That is one reason why work at home scams and deceptions abound in this area.  

All over the internet, you'll find people trying to sell you directories, lists, and CDs that they advertise as containing real, available work at home typing, data entry, and other clerical "jobs."  Don't fall for it.  You'll be wasting your money.  Many of these "clerical packages" are nothing more than outdated lists of jobs, or companies that may have had job openings at one time.  I purchased one of these lists once, and the information was worthless.  The contact information for more than half of the companies was invalid, and none of those I contacted permitted employees to work at home.

Worst still, some sellers of these packages will simply take your money and send you nothing at all.

The truth is, pure, legitimate home-based typist or data entry jobs are pretty much non-existent.  If they do exist, they are not advertised.  And, the reason they are not advertised is most likely because employers anticipate the sheer volume of resumes and inquiries they'd receive in response to their ads for these positions.  

Now, there are several companies on the internet that advertise the availability of "home employment" through home typist or ad typist "jobs" with their companies.  However, there are two very real -- and illegal -- problems with the way in which they are advertised.

First, a "typist" is literally defined as "somebody who uses a typewriter, especially somebody whose job is producing documents using a typewriter or word processor."  As members of these programs are not making money by producing documents, but by typing ads for the purpose of advertising products, and are being paid for the sales generated from their advertising (marketing) efforts, they are actually performing the work of an affiliate, associate, or reseller.

Second, if you sign on with any of these companies as an "ad typist," "home typist," or "independent typist," you will not be "hired" as an "employee" of the company as their advertising indicates.  These companies actually operate an affiliate program (also known as an associate program).  With affiliate/associates programs, individuals (called affiliates, associates, or resellers) promote the products or services of the company, and are paid a commission on the sales that result from their promotion efforts.

I joined one of these companies last September (2002) to investigate their offer, and to learn more about the company (the service I performed for members of my old Web site was to research, investigate, and report on Web sites and ads promising work at home jobs and other home-based work).  

Again, although they advertise it as such, their opportunity is not a "job" or "employment" in the true sense of such a work arrangement.  They do not "hire" you as a staff employee ad typist, pay payroll taxes for you, provide benefits to you, or engage in any of the employer/employee activities required by businesses who maintain staff and payroll.  While they do pay you the commissions you earn (and, some affiliates are earning quite a bit of money with this program), be aware that you will be earning money as an affiliate, not as an "employee."

Should these opportunities be considered scams?   That's a good question, and one that's difficult to answer.   

On the one hand, through my own, personal experience, I know that the company I researched does pay you what you earn, and they do offer other products that you can sell to make money (although,  emphasis has always been placed on promoting the "employment" opportunity).  

On the other hand, these companies target "job seekers," advertise an opportunity as a "job" or "employment," refer to affiliates as "employees," and state that individuals will be "hired" to "work directly for the company."  They also fail to prominently disclose that, in fact, individuals will be working in an independent contractor capacity as affiliates, marketing an affiliate program.  Because their statements give the impression that an actual employment opportunity exists when, in fact, it does not, this offer is at best, confusing and misleading, and at worst, a misrepresentation of the facts.  

And, it's only been recently that I have learned that such misrepresentation is illegal.

During January 2003, while conducting research for this ebook, I learned that the Competition Act provides that Canadian businesses are prohibited from making false or misleading representations or using deceptive marketing practices in promoting the supply or use of a product or any business interest.  As stated by the Competition Bureau, "All representations, in any form whatever, that are false or misleading in a material respect are prohibited.  If a representation could influence a consumer to buy the product or service advertised, it is material."

You can learn more by requesting and reading the Bureau's consumer pamphlet entitled, Misleading Representations and Deceptive Marketing Practices.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) protects consumers from the unfair or deceptive practices of U.S. businesses, and governs advertising, marketing, and sales in all media, including the Internet.  Under the FTC's Deception Policy Statement, "an ad is deceptive if it contains a statement—or omits information—that is likely to mislead consumers acting reasonably under the circumstances and is "material" or important to a consumer’s decision to buy or use the product.

Additionally, disclosures are required to prevent ads from being misleading and deceptive, and must be placed conspicuously so as to afford consumers full, accurate information about the product or service.

The FTC provides consumers and businesses guidance and information through the following two guides:  DotCom Disclosures and Advertising and Marketing on the Internet: Rules of the Road. 

Basically, because these companies are targeting a specific audience (work at home job seekers), who are in search of a particular work arrangement (a job or employment), are using words and statements that are intended to give consumers in this target audience the general "impression" (or influence) that a true offer of employment is being made or exists, and because people are making the decision to purchase (pay a fee) based on that impression, a deception exists.  

Further, anyone (affiliates, employees, agents, representatives) who markets that opportunity as anything other than an affiliate program, is also participating in the deception. 

Upon making this discovery, I immediately notified the owner of the program I had joined.  The owner of this program had responded, and indicated that she had "taken seriously" the information I provided.  However, the company continues to advertise the program as an "employment" opportunity.  They've also failed to disclose this information to their affiliates (as was my recommendation), and so are allowing their affiliates to unwittingly continue engaging in deceptive advertising practices.  

Now, if you're promoting any of these programs, and, especially if you're making money, you may be tempted to continue advertising the "home employment" opportunity.  You may be reasoning that it doesn't matter that you don't call a spade a spade -- that it doesn't matter what words are used to advertise a work opportunity, or any product or service for that matter, so long as people are making money.  

The truth is, it does matter.  It matters because it's exactly this kind of misleading and misrepresentation that's causing so many people to spend money to get involved in things that they otherwise may not, if they understood full well what they were getting into.  The lawmakers of at least two countries -- the United States and Canada -- feel strongly enough about that happening, that they've written laws to protect against it.  And, companies are being sued for violating these laws.

For example, in 2001, a class action suit was brought against Phillip Morris, Inc.  The case alleges that by using words such as "Lights" and "Lowered Tar and Nicotine" on the packaging of Marlboro Lights, defendants falsely represented to purchasers that the cigarettes contained and delivered lower levels of tar and nicotine to human smokers than did regular cigarettes.

In October of 2001, the Superior Court certified the case as a class action. The parties are currently engaged in the discovery phase of the case, which is expected to end in the Spring of 2003. A trial should be scheduled sometime thereafter.  If it's proven that these cigarettes actually contained no less tar and nicotine than regular cigarettes, they could be convicted.

Words do matter, because the words that are used give the general "impression" of what a person will get when they make the purchase.  If you tell someone they are going to be "hired" or "employed" or that you are giving them a "job," all of these words gives the impression that a person is going to enter into an employer/employee work arrangement, albeit, after they pay a fee.  

But, as that is not what a person gets when they pay the fee (and, if this is what they thought they were paying for), a deception does exist.  Believe it or not, many people do believe that they are "paying for employment," and think that it's a reasonable request.  This is because they do not know that NO legitimate employer will ask you to pay a fee as a condition of hiring you to be an employee of the company.  It's simply not done.

So, if you are an affiliate of any of these programs and choose to continue to recruit others, be advised, to advertise these opportunities as anything other than an affiliate program is to mislead.  If you continue to advertise these opportunities as anything other than an affiliate program, you will be participating in the deception, and more importantly, you will be breaking the law.

Now, hear me right -- some of these programs offer other information products (ebooks and/or software) that you can sell to make money legitimately.  If you're already an affiliate of these programs, you can focus your efforts on selling these products (of course, you are responsible for researching the quality and reliability of these products -- and you are encouraged to do so).  

The above information refers specifically to your advertising the "employment opportunity" itself.

If you're interested in joining any of these programs, and if you are new to affiliate marketing, you'd be well advised to first learn how affiliate marketing works.  That way, you can make a more informed decision as to whether or not these opportunities would be a good fit for you BEFORE you fork over your money.

While you might want to believe that you'll make tons of money by simply typing ads, the truth is, placing ads on classified ad sites is not going to help you to earn a decent income.  Ask any experienced internet marketer, and if they're honest, they will tell you that you cannot generate a full-time income on the internet by simply engaging in this single activity.  In fact, many will tell you that advertising on classified ad sites doesn't work.

According to Cathy Bryant, owner of HomeBizJunction.com, "Joining affiliate programs helter-skelter and trying to promote them individually via inefficient means such as classified ads, safelists, and other forms of ineffective advertising is an exercise in futility. It is this method of promotion that is often used by the newcomer online and results in their frustration and belief that earning an income with these programs is impossible."

And, that's also what makes these "ad typing" programs a questionable business.  They target individuals who have no internet marketing experience (most if not all of these programs advertise that no experience is necessary), and promise them that they will engage in a simple activity that can result in an adequate income.  

To make matters worse, they publish testimonials of income earned by experienced internet marketers (though they do not disclose this fact), which gives the newcomer the false impression that one has the potential to earn hundreds of dollars per week by simply "typing ads."  

Most often, the opposite is true.  So most newcomers do one of the following once they pay their fee:

• they spend hours a day, day after day, typing ads all over the internet for very little or no pay each day

• they spend hours and hours typing ads, and give up in frustration (and with no return on the fee they paid)

• they spend hours and hours typing ads, give up and request a refund, but are denied the full amount they paid to get into the program 

• even though they were told that typing ads was all they would have to do to earn an income, they realize that typing ads doesn't work, and so, after paying a fee, they begin the process of learning how to make money with affiliate programs (which is what they could have done for free had they known up front what they really getting into)

These "home typist" programs charge upwards of $60.00 or more, and I've yet to find one that will guarantee to give you a full refund should you enter the program, AND THEN realize that it's not what you were looking for.

You can download and read Sherry Gordon's Affiliate Marketing Primer. (.exe file format)  She has put together an amazing, free resource that will teach you all about affiliate marketing, from soup to nuts, including how to create your own affiliate program.

While legitimate, home-based clerical jobs (employment) may be difficult to find in larger or more established companies, opportunities can be found in small and, especially, home-based business operations.  The secret to finding these jobs, however, is in understanding that they most likely will never be advertised.

Remember, the large majority of home-based businesses are run by a single owner, who's pulled in all directions.  An owner of a home-based business is the chief of operations, marketing director, communications director, accounting department, mail handler, administrative assistant, bookkeeper, file clerk, customer support center, and because they work at home, chief cook and bottle-washer.  And, if the owner has taken their business online and/or publishes an ezine, they are also webmaster, technical support, and electronic publisher.  

With so much to be done, and so few hours in a day, these business owners are even less prepared than larger organizations to deal with the onslaught of responses they know they are likely to receive if they advertised this kind of home-based position.  But, the proactive (and highly skilled), typist, data entry processor, or word processor can find these "hidden" opportunities by talking to people they know, or by simply asking around, and asking others to help you spread the word about your interest in locating this type of home-based work. 

You can also create opportunities by offering your services in a freelance or independent contractor capacity to this niche market of business owners. 

New companies starting out may also be in need of (and looking for) individuals with strong office or business support skills.  The key to landing these positions rests in your ability to offer a skills "package" that goes beyond mere typing and/or data entry abilities.  The more skills you can offer -- and, particularly if those skills are in high demand -- the better your chances will be for finding work.  

If you think you might be interested in learning how to make money with your own home-based business support or word processing service, check out these resources:

How To Start A Business Support Service (Save $10)

How To Start Your Own Home-Based Word Processing Business

Once you learn what's involved, you may decide that you'd rather focus your time and efforts on starting your own home-based business, rather than searching for a home-based job.

Ad Placers, Ad Processors, Classified Ad Placers
See Home Typist, Ad Typist, Independent Typist, Data Entry, & Other Clerical "Jobs" above.  These programs may advertise that all you'll need to do to earn a decent income is type ads, but remember, they are really affiliate programs, and to market them successfully you'll need to learn how affiliate marketing works, and how to make money with these programs.  

Trust me, you'll have to do more than type ads to earn a decent income with these programs.  And, you should have the opportunity to know what's involved  BEFORE you pay a fee to join any of these programs.

The following section offers some insight into the two types of affiliate/associate programs you'll find on the internet.     

Envelope stuffing
An oldie but goodie, this work at home scam has been around a long time.  Many years ago, when I was trying to supplement my household's income as a stay-at-home military wife, I was burned not once, but TWICE by offers promising "easy money" through at-home envelope stuffing. To this day, I laugh at how I simply refused to believe that someone had really stolen my money, and that they had no intention of making good on their offer.

The fact is, the promise of "easy money" is what makes the envelope stuffing proposition so appealing still. Unfortunately, the scenario that you may wish to avoid (stuffing envelopes with letters or brochures designed to recruit others to do the same thing) is exactly the way most of these offers work.

Check out this eye-opening article about envelope stuffing jobs from Brett Krkosska.

If you want to stuff envelopes in your home (and stuff them with real, value-added products and information), your best bet will be to start your own home-based business. You could market your service to local businesses who desire to advertise through direct mail marketing, but who do not have the staff on hand to get the mailings out.  Examples of the types of small or home-based businesses that could benefit from your service would be doctor's offices, real estate agents, auto dealerships, insurance agents, property managers, and financial planners.

If you have desktop publishing and/or copywriting skills, you could provide a "total direct mail package" to potential clients. Your competitive positioning could be that you offer your service at a significant savings over services like, say, "Val-Pack."

You could even offer "seasonal" or "special" mailing services, such as mailing out holiday or other greeting cards to a company's customers.  If you don't have desktop publishing and/or copywriting skills (and aren't interested in learning them), consider partnering with other home-based business owners who do have these skills.  Contact desktop publishers and copywriters in your area, and offer your mailing services.  Help them to see the value (and financial benefit) of offering a total direct mail "package" to their existing small or home-based business clients.  

Don't assume that they've already thought to do that.  Chances are they either haven't, or perhaps they have, but were hoping to find someone with your skills.  You'll never know until you ask.

Another package idea: offer a unique, personalized greeting card/mailing package by partnering with someone who designs and creates their own greeting cards.  I've seen several home-based businesses on the internet whose owners create their own greeting cards.  The two of you could partner to offer this "unique" service to small businesses either seasonally, or to help business owners send "well wishes" during their customer's birthdays or other special events. 

Here's a resource you can use to learn how to start a direct mail service:

How To Start Your Own Home Based Direct Mail Business

Crafts & Other Home-based Assembly Jobs
Legitimate home-based work of this type does exist, but you've got to know what to look for, and what to avoid.  Below Curt Berresford of PaperDots.com offers valuable insight into the crafts and assembly industry, as well as tips to help you avoid the scams:

Chain Letters, Chain E-mails, and Other Illegal Pyramid Schemes
If you've read my background information on my site, you know that I was fortunate to secure home-based computer work (graphics design and desktop publishing) shortly after being laid off last February (2002).  You also learned that I allowed my focus to get off track, as I was tempted by all of the "get rich quick" ads and offers that were making their way to my email box.

At that time, I wasn't as knowledgeable about work at home schemes and deceptions, and so I got involved in activities that I thought were okay.  So great was my desire to believe that I could get rich with little effort, I reasoned and justified my way into participating in an old scheme that's been given a new "twist."

Perhaps you've received a chain letter by postal mail or email, and have been curious about its validity.  I was too, and it didn't take long (2 weeks) before I learned the truth about these "opportunities."

Click here to see a sample of the latest chain email that's making it's rounds on the internet.

Once I learned the truth, I simply could not continue.  For one thing, I took very seriously the letter I received from U.S. Post Master (you'll learn more below).  Secondly, receiving that letter woke me up to the reality of what I was doing -- scamming others.

So, I wrote and distributed the following message to everyone who had responded to my copy of the chain letter.  As you read, you'll also learn the truth about this type of scam:

If you're wondering if I did what I said I was going to do, the answer is "Yes."  I gave everybody their money back.  Why?  Because I take the Bible very seriously, and believe what it says about the calamity and punishment that will fall upon those who "hasten to be rich."  Nowhere does it say that "he who steals and hastens to be rich will be blessed."  But, the wisdom of Proverbs does say, "A faithful man will abound in blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."   (Proverbs 28:20)  :o)

I'd have to say, though, that the best part about returning that money was receiving the "thank you" emails from those whom I'd notified.  For me, I sleep much better at night knowing that people are helped, not hurt, by the choices I make.

Click here to read a brief message from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission about chain letters and chain emails.  You'll also learn who you should contact if you become a target of this scam and receive one of these emails.

"Home Workers Needed" Ads
These ads are sometimes scams, sometimes legitimate business opportunities, but they are not "jobs."  (Another tell-tale sign -- the "opportunities" in these ads most often have fees attached them.  Remember what I said about anyone who tells you that "you must pay them a fee to hire you.")

REAL employers don't look for "home workers."   They look for people to fill whatever position they have, and they advertise that position by title, i.e. word processor, graphics designer, accountant, teacher, etc.

Other Common Work At Home Scams
Following are additional work at home "job opportunities" you'll find on the internet.  

Click the links below to learn how the scams are perpetrated, and how you can avoid them: 

Medical Billing

Internet Malls

Additional Reading: Work-At-Home Schemes (U.S. Federal Trade Commission)

How To Evaluate Ads & Web sites Promising Home-Based Work
At this point, your head is probably swimming.  Yeah, I know we've burned a few brain cells, and I know it's a lot to take all at once.  And, you may even be tempted to throw your hands in the air, and give up on your dream of working at home.  But, I hope you won't.  Believe me, there are legitimate opportunities out here -- LOTS of them.  And, there also are lots of scams.  But, that's no reason for you to give up, and especially not now -- not since you know all about what's REALLY going on.

Now, you're in the best possible position to realize your dream -- because, you know the truth.  You know what to avoid.

It may all seem overwhelming now, but that's just because it's all new information, and you're getting it all at once.  It may be more manageable to get it bit by bit, but it's also more expensive.  Learning all of this through trial and error has cost me plenty -- both in time and money -- and, all things being equal, I would rather have had an information resource like this when I started out.  I couldn't find one, so I guess I've done what Toni Morrison suggested:

"If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."  :o)

Okay, so now that we know what to avoid, let's look at how we can evaluate individual ads and Web sites.  It's important that you learn this, because scamming "employers" are lurking even on some of the most popular job boards.  

Face it -- if you're looking for a way to earn a living from home, the scammers are out there waiting for you.  Learn how to recognize them and avoid them, and you won't believe the sense of power and confidence it will give you to go after your goals. 

To learn how to evaluate ads and Web sites promising "work at home," read the bonus report entitled, WANTED: Legitimate Home-Based Work.  (If you've read my report in the past, be sure to take another look -- it's been updated with information about what to look for regarding "guarantees.")

Your Options For Earning An Income At Home
The term "work at home" means many things to many people.  For some, it means telecommuting 2 or 3 days a week in a "regular" job.  For others, it means earning a living at home by freelancing or working as an independent contractor.  Still, for others, it means running an home-based business full-time -- either online or offline.  

In this section, we'll define the various ways in which people make money at home -- either part time or full time.  While you have purchased this ebook because you are interested in locating and landing an home-based job, pursuing these other options will help you to earn some extra money while you search (and may give you the inside track on unadvertised job opportunities).  Several are also excellent options for helping you to gain experience in a newly-learned skill (but, you'll learn more about that later).  :o)

Telecommuting - For the purpose of this ebook, telecommuting is defined as a work arrangement whereby an employee spends part or all of their time working from home for their employer.  There's a  considerable amount of confusion and myth surrounding the availability of these types of jobs.  So, I'd like to take a moment to separate fact from fiction.

If you're already employed full time, your fastest route to becoming a telecommuter will be to prepare a work at home proposal, and convince your boss to let you telecommute.  If you happen to work for a company that already has a telecommute or flexible work program in place, you're ahead in the game.  But, you shouldn't be deterred if your company doesn't have such a program in place.  You'll just need to have a thorough understanding of the kinds of objections most employers raise, as well as a knowledge of how best to address those objections, and how to develop your proposal.

Some bosses prefer to enter into informal flexible work agreements with their employees.  Of course, you're in the best position to judge whether taking a formal or informal approach would be best.  If you've been working at your company for a while, and your job lends itself well to telecommuting (most computer-related jobs do), convincing your boss may be easier than you think.

You can learn more about this option in the section entitled, Convince Your Company To Let You  Telecommute.

If you're not employed, and you're searching for telecommuting work, there are several things you'll need to keep in mind.  First, the majority of these positions require that the employee live locally. So, unless you are desiring and/or willing to relocate, you may have more favorable results if you focus your search on advertised jobs local to your area.

Second, a significant number of available telecommute job opportunities are never advertised.  In fact, statistics that I've seen quoted all over the internet estimate that as much as 80-85% of all available job opportunities are never advertised by employers.  These unadvertised opportunities make up what is known as the "hidden job market" and include telecommute opportunities.  Later in this Guide, you'll learn how to mine this untapped area, to find that "golden nugget" your looking for.

Finally, before you begin your search or determine whether or not you want to approach your current employer, take a moment to consider what you're really hoping to achieve by telecommuting.  If, for example, you're looking for a solution that will enable you to work from home full time, but you know that your employer allows telecommuting only a part-time basis, you will need to decide if taking advantage of a part-time option will help you to meet your objectives.

The idea here, as well as with any other work at home choices you make, is that you take the time to first consider all of your options, determine what you want to do and what you are skilled to do, and learn as much as you can so that you can set goals and put together a plan of action that will bring you the success you're hoping for.

Contrary to popular belief -- and the prevailing message communicated throughout the internet -- there is NO QUICK FIX OR SHORT CUT to earning a living at home.  Everyone from internet marketing "gurus" to your next door neighbor will try to "sell you" on the idea that they've found (or created) that "secret formula" for instant riches and success.  Very few, if not the vast majority, of home-based workers have seen "instant" success (including those that are trying to sell you on this myth).  

Most have waited patiently, and worked diligently, while others have given up in frustration believing that earning a living at home is impossible.  Earning a living at home is not impossible -- millions are doing it LEGITIMATELY.  But, they didn't see success  until they'd let go of their desire and attempts to "get rich quick", and focused on doing the real work of making their dreams come true.  

Independent Contractor - Independent Contractors work on a per project basis, and offer their services under work for hire (individuals or sole proprietors) or vendor (incorporated businesses) arrangements.  In this capacity, workers are responsible for their own tax reporting and payments.  In the case of individuals, the title is mostly used to describe computer workers in the IT industry, i.e. programmers, web developers, etc.

An independent contractor differs from a contract employee, in that a contract employee is employed by an agency or other hiring company.  In this work arrangement, the agency negotiates the fees to be paid to them by their clients for the work the contract worker performs, and then pays the contract worker a portion of what it charges the client company. 

This work arrangement is similar to a temporary worker/agency work arrangement.  (The difference here is that contract employee is a title used by computer workers in the IT industry, while temporary employee is used mostly to describe administrative/clerical workers.) 

Freelancing - Freelancers or "free agents" also work on a per-project basis (like independent contractors), but this title is traditionally used to describe independent workers in a creative field such as writing or graphic arts.

Home-Based Business Owner - Owning and operating your own home-based business can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose.  You can either start from scratch, or buy into an existing system (network marketing or franchises).

Many people quickly dismiss the idea of starting their own business, because they believe it may entail more time and effort (and money) than they are able to commit.  The thing is, depending upon the kind of business you choose to start, you may find that you can be up and running and making money more quickly than searching for, and getting hired in, a home-based job.  

The secret to successfully starting and growing your own business, is that you focus on something you enjoy doing.  If you do, you'll find that your commitment to it will come naturally, and you'll be more inclined to stick with it.

You'll find tons of information on the internet to help you learn how to start virtually any home-based business you can think of.  

Netpreneur - As a Netpreneur (or internet entrepreneur), you are a home-based business owner, but your business is operated and maintained online.  If you choose this route, you have a number of options available to you for making money legitimately.  

These include creating and marketing/selling your own information products or software (i.e. ebooks, fee-based subscription or membership Web site, ezines), or marketing/selling products created by others (i.e. affiliate/associate programs, drop shipping).  

My momma taught me never to play in the streets.  And with good reason -- it's dangerous out there.  Before you jump on the "Information Superhighway" and get run over, be sure to read this excerpt from Chris Malta's ebook entitled, Starting Your Internet Business Right!  Chris's excerpt "wakes you up" to the "Real Business World," and discusses what it really takes to make money on the Internet (if you think that this is the route you might want to take).

If you're on the internet long enough, you'll encounter some who will suggest that you don't need to create your own Web site to make money.  The truth is, if you want to use the internet to earn a "full-time" living, it's best that you do have your own Web site.  

It's been my personal experience that those who tell you that you don't need to create your own site, are at the same time trying to sell you a membership for their Web site.  These programs basically operate the same way that other fee-based affiliate programs do -- you use the site as a marketing vehicle to try to recruit others to purchase a membership for which they receive their own Web site, and so on.  

Fees are often paid as monthly subscriptions, under the guise that you are building a "monthly residual income" that grows as you recruit more people, and as your recruits recruit more people (most of these programs pay commissions 2 or 3 levels deep).  It's a kind of online multi-level marketing.

Use caution with these programs -- the recruiting process is sometimes fast-paced, and can be quite overwhelming if you don't know what you're doing.  If you blink, you could very easily go from signing up for a free account, to forking over quite a bit of money, and you'll be left wondering how you got there.  

I liken these programs to that old street hustle, where you try to guess where the "Queen of Diamonds" is among three cards turned face down.

If you've ever watched that game being played (or have played it yourself), the lure of it is that you start out being able to easily guess where that "magic" card is.  Usually, you'll have little or no money on the table.  Then, when you've guessed right a few times, you'll have the confidence to lay down a large amount of money, reasoning that you'll easily win since you've already guessed correctly so many times.  The funny thing is, once you fork over the cash, you suddenly lose -- EVERY TIME. 

As with most every fee-based program of this kind, the person who started the program is the one getting rich.  Try to proceed with a level head and clear vision.  :o)

Now, on to finding that work at home job that's perfect for you.  Presented here, in seven simple steps, are the essential information, tools, and resources you'll need to help you to turn your dream of working at home into a lucrative, home-based career.  

Step 1:  Identify Your Current Skills and Work Preferences

Step 2:  Define Your Perfect Job

Step 3:  Get The Skills Employers Are Looking For

Step 4:  Create A Resume and Cover Letter Guaranteed to Get the Job!

Step 5:  Search For Jobs & Submit Your Resume And Cover Letter To The Right Companies

Step 6:  Set Up Your Home Office And Prepare To Ace The Interview!

Step 7:  Follow Up With After EVERY Interview