Within these tough economic times, online and various off line employment scams are emerging more than ever. Many so- called online companies that promise substantial incomes and vast wealth are actually online predators, capitalizing off desperate people in desperate times, not to say that there aren't any legitimate online jobs and careers out there, but you must do your research before submitting personal information, opening non-familiar e-mails, and applying for jobs.

Some of these companies are trying to access your personal information to sell to other companies and some are trying to obtain your financial information, such as credit card information, to scam you of your hard-earned money. Many fall prey to to fake e-mails and websites promising employment opportunities and too-good-to-be-true incomes. Watch for the following common bait leads:

1. Envelope Stuffing Work at Home Scam

The bait: You can learn and earn money stuffing envelopes at home (for a small fee).

2. Assembly and Craft Work from Home

The bait: Make good money working from home by making things, which the company will purchase from you.

3. Computer Work at Home Scams

The bait: Make money working at home for data entry and word processing for a small fee.


4. Medical Billing Work at Home Scams

The bait: A current crisis in the healthcare system exists and you can make a substantial income by starting your own at-home business providing electronic billing services, such as: billing, accounts receivable and electronic insurance claim processing to doctors and dentists.


5. MLM-Style Pyramid Scheme Scams

The pitch: Make money selling the products/services of a particular company.

(NOTE: see the following URL for additional, in-depth information on these types of scams: http://www.associatedcontent.com

The following are some helpful resources to help you research those dreamy, "money-making" employment opportunities: BBB (Better Business Bureau); Scambusters.org; Fraud.org (for victims of online and off line scams); Worldwidescam.com (published articles about work-at-home scams). If you have any suggestions or comments that would serve to improve this hubpage, please post it in the comment section.