Can you spot work-from-home scams?
You might be surprised how tough it is to tell them apart from real money-makers.
We see new work-from-home opportunities everyday, and weve gotten pretty good at telling the good from the bad.
Youll sign up and answer a few questions about yourself.
Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.
This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.
Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire.
This is for real but you have to know what to look for.
MyPointsis alegitimate paid survey company.
Check it out and let your voice be heard.
This is a scam.
Heres the kicker: To sign up, youll pay a one-time membership fee a major red flag.
Also, do you want to contribute to social media spam?!
If you want to earn money for almost no work, heres a legitimate way.
Try it out foriPhone.
Heres how it works: Theyll sell you brand-name products at below retail value.
Just order your products, and theyll be delivered to your door.
Youll pay cash on delivery, so no credit card required.
Then you resell the products for a profit.
Typically, youll pop launch the box to find unusable junk, and youll never get a refund.
And always be wary of a company cold-calling you with a business opportunity!
The COD requirement is also a problem, because you have to pay before inspecting the products.
If you want to earn money reselling brand-name products, try selling your own stuff.
Justdownload the appand start scanning the barcodes on your media to get immediate quotes.
In-Home Product Assembly
Know how to sew?
These companies hire you to assemble aprons and other clothing at home.
You purchase the materials, the company mails them to your door, you assemble and mail them back.
Your items have to pass inspection before youre paid.
That upfront payment for materials is also a red flag.
Compare that withthis legit work-from-home opportunity with R. Riveter.The company is transparent and doesnt charge you to start working.
For legitimate opportunities,check out our list of the best mystery shopping companies.
Pyramid Schemes or Multi-Level Marketing
Want to work for yourself and set your own schedule?
This company will pay you a 20% to 50% commission to sell health and beauty products.
Youll pay $25 for a starter kit, including your training materials.
These are the details ofselling with Avon, a legitimate direct sales opportunity.
Skepticism isnt unwarranted, though.
Many companies have turned themulti-level marketing structureinto pyramid schemes whicharescams.
The key difference is the product: Are you selling something?
Or are you mainly (or only) getting paid to recruit other sales reps?
The latter is a scam.
Anytime you shop and scan your receipts, youll automatically earn cash back.
This is actually real!
We know it sounds strange, butIbottawill pay you cash for taking pictures of your grocery store receipts.
When you get home, snap a photo of your receipt and scan the items barcodes.
Ibotta is free to download.
Plus, youll get a $5 sign-up bonus after uploading your first receipt.
Get Paid to Lose Weight
This company lets you bet on your own weight loss.
Youll choose an amount to bet each month until your deadline, between six and 18 months.
Hit your weight-loss goal by then, and youll win your money back plus a bonus.
Do you believe it?
HealthyWagewill actually pay you to lose weight.
But weve vetted this company andtalked with tons of folkswhove lost weight and earned big money.
Are You a Nos-tra-scam-us?
Dana Sitar ([email protected]) is a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder.
Say hi and tell her a good joke on Twitter @danasitar.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Ask one of these companies to help…