Don't Be Scammed by Work at Home Offers

It happens every day, even to those who think it couldn't happen to them... they hear of an "awesome" work at home job, someone claims they've been paid, so you send in your money, and Bam! You learn the hard way.

I sent off, many years ago, for a book full of work at home companies. Paid too much money for it, only to find out the companies were no longer in business, or were the type where you buy materials from them to make a product, send in the product expecting payment, and then the products are rejected... and you lose, not only the time you spent assembling it, but also the money for materials and shipping.

I was reading about one such company tonight, Disciple's Cross. I saw a post from someone, talking about how great it is. Yep, it sounded great! That's why I decided to do a quick search. One thing I've learned over the years is... the internet is my friend! lol When you find a company that sounds great, like this one did after reading that post, put in the name of the company in parenthesis, and add the word "complaints" or "scam". That way, you'll quickly find out any negative words that have come out about that company.

One thing to remember, however, is almost any company in the world is going to have at least a few complainers, especially if it is a large company. For example, I've heard some swear that GlobalTestMarket is a scam, while it is one of the survey companies I love, as they have always been reliable and paid every cent I earned. The thing is to dig in... especially before you send any money... and really read up about the company. When I did a search on Disciple's Cross, I, quickly, came up with sooooo many results, and some of the ones I paid close attention to were on work at home forums, where people like us share information. They've been there, done that.
Another thing you can always do, as well, is check the BBB.

When it doubt, my recommendation would be to not mess with it, especially if they expect YOU to pay anything. As I always say, the entire point of working at home is for you to make money, not pay it out!

If any of you have questions about any specific companies, feel free to shoot me an email, and if I know anything about it, I'll let ya know!

Nite y'all!

Why I Love Working At Home

Man, it has been a really rough year. And, as some of you know, I lost my Grandfather about a week ago. The depression has really gotten me down. I, also, have a variety of health problems. For the past three weeks, it seems I have done nothing but sleep. I have not been motivated to do anything, and even if I was, I have simply not had the energy. I don't know if it's stress related, or more likely, due to my hypothyroidism, or a combination of both those and other factors.

The good news is, I did at least get my thyroid meds adjusted today... unfortunately, it's all a guessing game, so we'll have to see how it works, and it'll be a bit before I know, but I'll be thankful for any energy I can get at this point! lol

Anyway, at least working at home, I do have that freedom. Yes, it stinks financially, when I'm unable to work, but at least I can make up for it at other times. I know many of us who look to supplement our income online, it is due to health problems... or... kids, which I have, as well! lol I love that I can decide that I am going to go to my daughter's concert, or my son's event at school. I can take the time to take my daughter to go get her permit, whenever HER schedule allows! lol I can be here at home and take care of them if they get sick, and still get on the computer and make a little money.

My "work" is interesting, changing from day to day. My "work" makes a difference... I get to have my voice heard, which is very important to me. I get to try new products and learn about new ideas. It has given me confidence to write to companies with suggestions, complaints and even compliments. I love that aspect!

Of course, there are the downsides too... you do have to be motivated. For the past few weeks, for example, I have barely made any money, because I have been physically and mentally unable to concentrate on the work I need to get done. There are, also, times when I simply can't concentrate, due to my motherly duties... which is to be expected... or the kids just being stir crazy, and wanting to tell me everything they've been storing up in their heads for two weeks, AS SOON AS I start working on a project! lol There is, also, a lot of competition for online opportunities, but, I have found, if you are reliable and honest, these companies do, often, tend to offer opportunities to you more often than others. One of the worst parts, however, is when they pay through check, and you simply cannot rely on the postal service. Ugh! I have been experiencing that more than not lately... and that is sooooo frustrating!!! When any of us do any kind of work for pay, we expect that pay, and depend on it (unless you're just so wealthy you don't ever have to worry about bills, in which case, you probably wouldn't be spending your time on these kinds of jobs anyway! lol). One of the more reliable survey companies I have been with for many, many years, has owed me a check for $75 for a few months now. Unfortunately, the check keeps getting lost in the mail. I know that the company in question is telling me the truth, but man, it's getting overwhelming... got, yet another, email from them today, letting them know that my check had been returned to them. I guess it'll be a nice surprise when it does finally arrive!

Anyway, I guess any "job" has it's pros and cons, but all in all, with my health issues, and just being a mom who loves the ability to take the time off for my kiddos, without repercussions, I definitely prefer working from home.

Would love to hear your thoughts. Why do you want to earn from home? What are the pros and cons in your opinion? Any companies you would recommend over others? I would love to hear your experiences!

Also, while I'm at it, let me know what you would like to see more or less of on here. As some of you know, I started another page for regular work at home jobs, and one for contests, and then, of course, this site, for all those great survey sites, focus groups, etc. I would love to hear your suggestions! And, if anyone needs help figuring out any of these sites or anything, please, feel free to contact me (there's a box on the right side of the page). I'd be glad to help, to the best of my ability!

Thanks so much to all of you for your continued reading, and a huge welcome to all our new readers and followers! Hope to continue on, and hopefully we'll all have a successful time!

Hugs,

A

Focus Forward online study $75

We are currently recruiting respondents to participate in a paid online bulletin board scheduled to take place either between Tuesday, October 13th and Thursday, October 15th OR Tuesday, October 20th and Thursday, October 22nd. Compensation for the 3 day online bulletin board is $75. Please click on the link below and answer a few screening questions to determine if you qualify for this study.


If you appear to qualify based on your answers, a Focus Forward representative will contact you with additional questions.



Thank you for your interest in Focus Forward.

Claudia Taylor
www.focusfwdonline.com


Link for study

HCD Surveys

HCD surveys are fun, usually pretty short, surveys. Many are related to political issues, but there are other fun topics that come up, as well. You earn points for each survey completed, and those points can be exchanged for cash. I just cashed out last night... yea! Keep those checks a coming!!!

Full Time Copywriter – Work from Home as a 1099

Catalogs.com is looking for an expert web content writer to help create and develop content for our network of online shopping content sites. Experience with online content management systems (CMS) and SEO are needed. Candidate will work from home as an Independent Contractor. Writer must have superb writing and computer skills , and be proficient in WordPress. Writer will be paid per assignment completed, and should average between $600 to $750/week. Catalogs.com is a growing, dynamic, and leading edge Internet marketing website and we are celebrating our 12th year of business. Please send a resume and multiple ONLINE writing clips for consideration, including any blogs and personal websites. E-Mail to ginag@catalogs.com and in subject header please type Resume-Insert Last Name- Copy Writer. Please be sure to include writing samples and resume as Word attachments

Contact Method: ginag@catalogs.com

Another Mail Decoy Company

This one is easier to get in with. I did a short term project for them about a year ago, very easy.

Go to their website and sign up.

"This is a Decoy Mail tracking service. They send different items to your mailing address, under a "decoy name." You log in each day on their website (whether you receive decoy mail or not) and are paid a small fee and for each piece of decoy mail.

They do this 1) to track timeliness of mailed items and 2) see if anyone is stealing mailing lists."

You can make about $50-$170 each month, depending on how much mail is sent to you and where you live.

Need extra income? Be a mail decoy

We provide various promotion tracking and marketing intelligence services for major national firms. They are interested in a number of things, such as the delivery date and condition of their advertising mail. From time to time, some sample merchandise to check on delivery of customer orders. We also protect their mailing lists against mis-use. In other cases, we track what other companies are doing in the way of advertising in the mail. These are essential services, many of which are also in the public interest.

WHAT'S INVOLVED?

All you have to do is mark the date received on each special piece as it comes in, enter it on our Web site, and save the mailings for a period of time. We may occasionally ask that you send us specific items.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

Participants are credited for each valid item accurately reported. Any mailing costs are reimbursed or, we may make use of UPS call tags, etc.

There may be extra potential opportunities. From time to time some participants get to keep test shipments of merchandise, or get free copies of magazines.

Honestly, you won't get rich as a decoy agent, but many people are delighted to get some extra spending money doing something that's fun with hardly any effort. (We cannot promise any particular amount as this depends on clients' needs for your location and a number of other variables.)

WHAT TO DO NEXT?

If you are interested in being considered, please fill out and submit the Agent Application Request Form.

Be sure to include your name, phone number, country and city. We will contact you if there is an immediate need for coverage in your area.

Shared Reviews

A few days ago Shared Reviews announced a new "Bounty" program that you may be interested in. Check out the email -



"Hey SharedReviewers,



It took us a few days longer than anticipated, but the author application forms and early customer sign ups are live! You can access the new site by clicking the Apply for Program link in the top right corner of your SharedReviews Profile Home page, or direct dialing http://content.sharedreviews.com in your browser address bar.



So, what are Bounties?



Bounties are assignments from customers for custom content they'd like to purchase for their websites. Although initially this will be articles only, it will eventually include Videos and Photos for all those avid Photographers and Videographers in the community. Basically, customers will publicize Assignments they'd like you to fulfill. Our proprietary matching engine will then recommend the best authors for the assignment based on the criteria they enter, where they'll make their choice based on the profile, history, and work examples authors publicize in their member profiles and the info they enter on the application form.



We have been trialing this program in a private alpha the last couple of months, and with all of the learning we have acquired we see some very cool ways we can revolutionize the pay for content industry for both authors and customers, so expect some earth shattering cool things to materialize when we go live. In the meantime, make sure you come and apply since there's no cost and the earning potential will be huge for those that have the skills, plus we may have some assignments for you even sooner.



The requirements to become accepted as an author in the beta are:



1) You have a SharedReviews member account. Our matching engine will leverage all of the great profile info members have shared, and we'll eventually be integrating all author aspects directly into the SharedReviews site in the future.



2) Youre physically located in North America. We may open this up to other countries with English as their primary language such as the UK and Australia, but we need to keep it simple out of the gate. If [UTF-8?]you’re located in one of those latter two countries and are interested in the program, make sure you let us know either directly through an email (accounts@sharedreviews.com) or on the SharedReviews Forum so we can gauge interest.



3) You can show us examples of work you've done so we can see what you're capable of. You'll have the options of sharing your resume, sample articles, or links to other sites to highlight your experience. Dont worry if you're not a professional freelance writer, we want to open this lucrative vertical up to anyone who has the ability to create great content and wants to pad their income in these times of economic uncertainty, so quality Reviews and your history on SharedReviews both apply as well.



Although we may be opening up sections of the new site over the coming weeks, expect our big beta launch in January where we hope to offer some of the highest author payouts in the industry!



Peter Ejtel

Founder/CEO

peter@sharedreviews.com"



I think this is going to be an exciting program for a lot of people looking to freelance (and NOT through Associated Content!). Hopefully the new SharedReviews will be super cool! I know Im looking forward to it!



If you're not a Shared Reviews member yet, be sure to sign up here and then you can apply for the Bounty program.


Shared Reviews

Another site for Freelancers

Haven't had time to check it out thoroughly, am sick, but have heard good reviews. They have freelance positions for writers, transcribers, copywriters and many more... looks like it's worth checking into! Please leave a comment if you have any thoughts on the site, positive or negative!



Demand Studios

Great list of free downloadable resources for affiliate marketing, and more!

This entire site is beautiful, a large part of it devoted to protecting the environment, spiritual writings, etc., but they also have lots of fabulous information for those who are into, or would like to learn more about, affiliate marketing. This site has been around for a long time, and is a very respectable and trustworthy site.



From the page:





Just fill-in your first name & e-mail address in the form below. We'll ask you to confirm your request, & then you will instantly find yourself at your download page of the offerings.

We currently have 100+ Free Offerings 'inside' from Ewen Chia, Mike Filsaime, Mike G., Liz Tomey, Michael Rasmussen, Tahir S., Dan Cauthron, and Sean Mize,

only to name a few!

Additions weekly (at least).

Last Updated: 12/23/08

Recent additions include: Giveaway Event Updates, Free Graphics From Mike F. added, Simple Product Big Profits Free Mp3 & Affil. Prgrm. addition, & Affiliate Marketing For The Holidays 2008...From Michele Wrobleski w/(Giveaway Rights!)


Freebies@rwithcare

Associated Order Processors

I read through this one pretty thoroughly, and it sounds great, for anyone who enjoys, or is good at, telephone work, especially taking customer orders. It is mainly inbound calling, but if you are really good, they promote you to outbound calls (why someone would want that, I wouldn't know, but to each their own). Their pay rate sounds really good, and they provide thorough training. Again, no fees or anything to apply, this is a legitimate company, hiring legitimate employees.

Application For Freelancers

We treasure individuals that can follow directions, are flexible, take pride in what they do and understand that we are here to service our customers. Our hiring process starts by you reading our company information below and completing an application. If we believe that you may be a good match for our company, we will ask you to go through a series of interviews, take a personality/competency test and complete a background check. After those have been successfully completed, we will start your training.

Our training has changed a lot over the last few months, which is why our interview process has become more challenging. We are looking for people that will be with us for a long time, that are dedicated, and willing to be challenged. Our training will last for several weeks. It includes sales training, computer training on our systems and taking live customer calls. You receive intense supervision for the first few weeks and then we reduce our monitoring of your activities as your comfort level increases. As you become more competent with our systems and customers, we increase your responsibilities.

So if you are dedicated to being a professional and ready to be challenged, let's get started with your application

Find Freelance Jobs, All Free Listings!

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Tons of free job listings, that can be done at home, including writing gigs, telephone work, proof-reading, transcription and more! It is free to register, and you never pay a dime for anything on the site. Bid on jobs that interest you... I just signed up a couple days ago, and have already gotten more notifications of new opportunities than I can handle! Good luck, and please let me know how it goes!

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