Not at all. There are plenty of authentic and reliable ways to make money by working from home. The secret is knowing how to separate the scams from the real jobs.
Here’s a hint: Legitimate jobs will typically never require you to pay a fee to get more information, and they don’t come in unsolicited junk e-mail messages.
Still, there’s plenty of earning potential in working from home. "Companies
are learning they can save a lot of money by hiring home-based working
moms to do projects such as word processing, writing, computer
programming, even tutoring," says Lesley Spencer Pyle, founder of
Home-Based Working Moms ( hbwm.com).
Most of the jobs listed below require an up-to-date computer, a high-speed Internet connection, a phone with a dedicated land line and a quiet place to work. Imagine reporting to work in your pajamas!
Customer service rep
Many companies, such as J. Crew, Express Jet, 1-800-flowers, and even the IRS, outsource customer service operations to third-party companies who then hire home-based workers or "agents" to take calls and orders. When you call 1-800-flowers, you may be speaking with Rebecca Dooley, a retired police officer and employee of Alpine Access, a major call center service. When you dialed the number, your call was automatically routed to Rebecca’s spare bedroom in Colorado.
Alpine Access currently employs more than 7,500 work-at-home customer service agents who take in-bound calls (there’s no outbound or cold calling) for dozens of companies. "This works perfectly for me because I can set up my hours around my family’s busy lifestyle," says Rebecca, who usually works 20 to 32 hours a week, depending on her schedule.
While the typical hourly rate is about $9, Alpine Access agents can earn up to $20 an hour with incentives and bonuses. Rebecca also receives benefits and a matching 401(k) plan. (Some companies consider their staff independent contractors, so they don’t provide benefits.) Go toalpineaccess.com. Other companies that hire virtual call agents:
To do this job, you need a pleasant voice and personality, and really thick skin—you’re bound to encounter some hostility. Still, it’s a good way to earn income. Many large companies now outsource their cold-calling campaigns to third parties who hire home-based workers to place the calls. Telemarketers are typically paid by the hour, and they may earn incentives and commission based on performance.
Companies hiring home-based workers include West.com, Telereach.com and Intrep.com. Apply on their websites. Keep in mind that a legitimate company will typically not require you to pay a fee to get information or leads, and will explain how to apply, exactly what is required and what to expect.
Online juror
Companies will pay you to sit on mock juries to give attorneys and other jury consultants feedback on cases they are currently handling. Think of these as focus groups. The cases are real, but your verdict will do little more than give those involved a prediction of how things might go. You can earn fees ranging from $5 to $50. Be sure to read all the disclaimers and details. Go to:
No matter what your area of interest or expertise, if you have the
desire to work from home, someone, somewhere, has work for you that uses
your skills and natural talents. If you remain diligent and flexible,
you’ll find it. And you won’t have to spend nearly $4 a gallon to get to
work.
To avoid work-at-home-scams
It's not always easy to figure out if a company is legitimate. Try these tips from the Attorney General of the State of New York:
Check with the Better Business Bureau in your area and the area in which the company is located.
Ask questions, including: what specific tasks you'll have to perform; whether you will be paid by salary or commission; and who will pay you. Also, ask about the total cost to you, including supplies and equipment.
Be wary of overstated claims of prodcut effectiveness, exaggerated claims of potential earnings, and demands that you pay for something before instructions or products are provided.
Be wary of personal testimonials that never actually identify the person so you can't investigate further.
Contact your state Attorney General's consumer help line if you believe you've been victimized by a work-at-home scheme.
Survey Taking
I'd pretty much ruled out survey taking as a legitimate way to earn money from home, but then I heard from Bonnie Alcala. She and her daughter Andrea Spain, an elementary school substitute teacher, take surveys online for fun and a little profit. They are careful to avoid any scams by refusing to pay an upfront fee or other charge. Bonnie and Andrea pocket around $100 a month for spending two hours a week taking surveys, which gives each of them extra pin money. In addition, they collect all kinds of gift cards and other prizes.
If you've got a little spare time and want to save up a stash of cash for holiday shopping or even a family vacation, here are Bonnie and Andrea's favorite survey sites:
npdor.com
surveysavvy.com
acop.com
viewpointforum.com
epoll.com
greenfieldonline.com
mysurvey.com
Writer, Editor, Proofreader
Everyone says you're a fantastic writer, so isn't it about time you got paid? For some content submissions at associatedcontent.com, you might get cash as well as a monthly bonus. If you have experience as a freelance copy editor, writer or proofreader, go to editfast.com. Also, CyberEdit.com hires writers and editors to work for clients. Rates vary between $15 and $25 an hour.
Cyber Crafter
If you're a crafter in search of customers, the internet is your showcase, and not only at auction sites like eBay.
Even though Jamie Beck of WaxingMoonCreations.com and DeWitt Young of ObviousFront.etsy.com have never met, they have something in common: They turn their crafts into cash in cyberspace. Both have booths at Etsy.com's Craft Mall, an amazing place where more than 10,000 artisans and crafters offer their goods for sale.
Jamie creates beautiful clean-burning, soy-based candles from her home in California. DeWitt turns salvaged parts from old TVs and VCRs into artsy necklaces, earrings and figures. "Etsy is a fabulous venue for crafters," says Jamie. "The site is designed for customers to purchase original arts and crafts from artisans. I've found that joining groups with other Etsy crafters for support has been very valuable."
Go back for a recap of resources to make money from home.
Here’s a hint: Legitimate jobs will typically never require you to pay a fee to get more information, and they don’t come in unsolicited junk e-mail messages.
Most of the jobs listed below require an up-to-date computer, a high-speed Internet connection, a phone with a dedicated land line and a quiet place to work. Imagine reporting to work in your pajamas!
Customer service rep
Many companies, such as J. Crew, Express Jet, 1-800-flowers, and even the IRS, outsource customer service operations to third-party companies who then hire home-based workers or "agents" to take calls and orders. When you call 1-800-flowers, you may be speaking with Rebecca Dooley, a retired police officer and employee of Alpine Access, a major call center service. When you dialed the number, your call was automatically routed to Rebecca’s spare bedroom in Colorado.
Alpine Access currently employs more than 7,500 work-at-home customer service agents who take in-bound calls (there’s no outbound or cold calling) for dozens of companies. "This works perfectly for me because I can set up my hours around my family’s busy lifestyle," says Rebecca, who usually works 20 to 32 hours a week, depending on her schedule.
While the typical hourly rate is about $9, Alpine Access agents can earn up to $20 an hour with incentives and bonuses. Rebecca also receives benefits and a matching 401(k) plan. (Some companies consider their staff independent contractors, so they don’t provide benefits.) Go toalpineaccess.com. Other companies that hire virtual call agents:
- LiveOps.com
- Arise.com
- WestatHome.com
- WorkingSolutions.com
- RepsforRent.com
- ACDDirect.com
To do this job, you need a pleasant voice and personality, and really thick skin—you’re bound to encounter some hostility. Still, it’s a good way to earn income. Many large companies now outsource their cold-calling campaigns to third parties who hire home-based workers to place the calls. Telemarketers are typically paid by the hour, and they may earn incentives and commission based on performance.
Companies hiring home-based workers include West.com, Telereach.com and Intrep.com. Apply on their websites. Keep in mind that a legitimate company will typically not require you to pay a fee to get information or leads, and will explain how to apply, exactly what is required and what to expect.
Online juror
Companies will pay you to sit on mock juries to give attorneys and other jury consultants feedback on cases they are currently handling. Think of these as focus groups. The cases are real, but your verdict will do little more than give those involved a prediction of how things might go. You can earn fees ranging from $5 to $50. Be sure to read all the disclaimers and details. Go to:
 |
Photo by: © Comstock
|
To avoid work-at-home-scams
It's not always easy to figure out if a company is legitimate. Try these tips from the Attorney General of the State of New York:
Check with the Better Business Bureau in your area and the area in which the company is located.
Ask questions, including: what specific tasks you'll have to perform; whether you will be paid by salary or commission; and who will pay you. Also, ask about the total cost to you, including supplies and equipment.
Be wary of overstated claims of prodcut effectiveness, exaggerated claims of potential earnings, and demands that you pay for something before instructions or products are provided.
Be wary of personal testimonials that never actually identify the person so you can't investigate further.
Contact your state Attorney General's consumer help line if you believe you've been victimized by a work-at-home scheme.
Survey Taking
I'd pretty much ruled out survey taking as a legitimate way to earn money from home, but then I heard from Bonnie Alcala. She and her daughter Andrea Spain, an elementary school substitute teacher, take surveys online for fun and a little profit. They are careful to avoid any scams by refusing to pay an upfront fee or other charge. Bonnie and Andrea pocket around $100 a month for spending two hours a week taking surveys, which gives each of them extra pin money. In addition, they collect all kinds of gift cards and other prizes.
If you've got a little spare time and want to save up a stash of cash for holiday shopping or even a family vacation, here are Bonnie and Andrea's favorite survey sites:
npdor.com
surveysavvy.com
acop.com
viewpointforum.com
epoll.com
greenfieldonline.com
mysurvey.com
Writer, Editor, Proofreader
Everyone says you're a fantastic writer, so isn't it about time you got paid? For some content submissions at associatedcontent.com, you might get cash as well as a monthly bonus. If you have experience as a freelance copy editor, writer or proofreader, go to editfast.com. Also, CyberEdit.com hires writers and editors to work for clients. Rates vary between $15 and $25 an hour.
Cyber Crafter
If you're a crafter in search of customers, the internet is your showcase, and not only at auction sites like eBay.
Even though Jamie Beck of WaxingMoonCreations.com and DeWitt Young of ObviousFront.etsy.com have never met, they have something in common: They turn their crafts into cash in cyberspace. Both have booths at Etsy.com's Craft Mall, an amazing place where more than 10,000 artisans and crafters offer their goods for sale.
Jamie creates beautiful clean-burning, soy-based candles from her home in California. DeWitt turns salvaged parts from old TVs and VCRs into artsy necklaces, earrings and figures. "Etsy is a fabulous venue for crafters," says Jamie. "The site is designed for customers to purchase original arts and crafts from artisans. I've found that joining groups with other Etsy crafters for support has been very valuable."
Go back for a recap of resources to make money from home.
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