by Maggie O'Leary

Created on: February 19, 2009   Last Updated: December 02, 2010

The economy keeps declining, and more and more workers are finding themselves unemployed or under-employed. In the face of lay-offs and less unemployment benefits, many displaced workers are looking to join the ranks of those who work from home. While there are a lot of great places that are looking to cut overhead and hire online workers, there are also a lot of con artists looking to make a quick buck by taking advantage of people who need work. Please remember that if the potential employer wants YOU to pay THEM to get you a job, it's probably a scam, except in a few rare cases, as you'll discover below.

Freelance writing: Of course, this article would not be complete if I did not mention online writing sites. Writing for the internet, as you probably already know since you are a Helium member, is a great way to earn extra cash. Many online writing sites pay within a few days of accepting your work. Many people, myself included, are able to make a living writing for the internet, and put money in savings. It's all about how much time and effort you can put into it. You can visit the forums here at Helium, or at www.wahm.com or www.workplacelikehome.com to find a full list of legitimate online writing sites. Remember, though - if they want YOU to pay them to publish your work, it's a scam!

Transcription work: Medical and legal transcription has become a booming online business. There are hundreds of companies that hire transcriptionists who work from home. While some companies may require you to have specialized software and equipment, some do not. You may have to pay for a background check, which will usually cost around $50. Many of these companies pay weekly, and you can schedule your work around your daily schedule.

In-home Call Center jobs: Companies such as West-at-Home (www.workathomeagent.com), LiveOps (www.liveops.com) and Alpine Access are great sources for these jobs. They are usually always hiring, and all you need is computer access, Some companies may require that you have either DSL or a 2nd phone line, so you can answer incoming calls while you are connected to the internet. These companies offer very flexible hours, and the pay is pretty good. Since you will be handling customers' sensitive credit card information, these companies will require a background check. You will be responsible for paying for this background check. The cost is usually around $50.

Mystery/Secret Shopping/Auditing jobs: While one can't make a full living doing Mystery

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