by Lisa Campi

Created on: January 12, 2010   Last Updated: January 17, 2010

We’ve all seen the internet banner ads for "making thousands of dollar’s per day working from home” and then, we start to dream.  Are these companies and jobs real?  Is that pay realistic? Can I succeed at the job?  Can I have both a lucrative career and work from home?  What’s the catch?  Is there a catch?

While some of these ads are for legitimate opportunities, this writer has been approached by several entities for what could potentially be business scams.   Some of my favorites that an unsuspecting person can fall for…

- Even though there has been no interview or formal job application, “just send me your checking account information so I can directly pay your earnings into your account.”

- From an unknown recruiter, “if you give us your credit card information, we’ll be able to help you find a job for which you are better qualified.”

- From a company for which you’ve never applied, “we need your social security number so we can run a background check to see if you are qualified for a different job.”

 While one can admire the creativity of these requests, an unsuspecting, unemployed person (or even an unhappily, employed person) can fall for one of these and have his or her identity stolen.  What makes this more confusing and concerning is that legitimate companies need your social security number to run background checks.  In addition, as part of your new hire paperwork, you are generally asked to supply checking account information so that your paycheck can be directly deposited.   With all of these legitimate needs for your personal information, how can you avoid these scams? 

- Be careful with whom you share your online identity and personal information.   Social security numbers, checking account information and credit card numbers are all parts of your confidential information.   If that information gets into the wrong person’s hands, your identity or money could be stolen.

- Before you share confidential, private information over the internet, make sure that you verify with whom you are sharing it and why the company needs it.    While most companies require a social security number to run background checks, it is highly unlikely that a company needs your credit card number for that same purpose. 

- If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it might be.  Not to be pessimistic, but it pays to verify any business opportunity or offer received.   Run searches on the company and check with the Better Business Bureau in your area.   Due diligence pays off in the long run. 

- Ask yourself where and how the person obtained your name.  Is the business opportunity presented in a generic email or letter sent to thousand’s of people or is it personalized, directed to your specific resume or application?  If it’s a generic, mass email or letter, there is a higher likelihood that it is some form of business scam. 

Bottom line, double check before you send any information or money.  There are legitimate business opportunities out there, just be careful in your search for that perfect job. 

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