Home Business Credit Card Scams: Beware
With the sluggish economy were now living in, the promises of success with home-based businesses seem to be everywhere. After I unwittingly became the victim of one of these scams, I decided to examine them more carefully so I might give advice to others considering the same option.
Most jobs that can be performed at home involved data entry to taking orders through your home phone line for other companies. The opportunity looks great, promises lots of money, and many even back up their claims with a guarantee. Thats what convinced me; if I wasnt satisfied Id simply get my money back.
I looked at several listings. I wanted to find one where I was actually an employee and had real tasks to perform. I didnt want the type where I was sold software or instructions on how to make money at home. I thought it would be simple.
Again, there was the guarantee. If I wasnt happy, Id get all of my money back and besides, I was also getting a special deal since I was one of the first 100 people to respond. What I got versus what was promised was completely different. I had no longer entered my personal information, including my credit card data, when I realized Id become a statistic: Id been scammed.
My job was to promote credit cards. I was to get their name on hundreds of search engines and others sites like \”Facebook\”. I had not been told that a condition of being paid included my having to apply for several credit cards. On top of that, I also had to be applied by them to get my $20 pay from my employer. Then, I was told that another requirement was that I had to make $500 first or I couldnt get the $20 per credit card.
There was also another excuse for why I couldnt yet get paid. I couldnt reach anyone at the company in person. I could only go through email where I usually got a preprogrammed response. It was impossible to get any real answers.
After I finally tracked down their phone number on my credit card statement, I left a message with the Australia-based office, but I never heard back. What I finally had to do was file a complaint against the company for fraudulent activity and Im waiting for that credit still.
I am utterly humiliated to have fallen for such a con. I am college educated with several degrees. Desperation will cloud one’s mind and lower defenses. I have no problem working hard for my money and did not count on it being \”easy\” money. I just assumed you only would make as much as hard as you worked whether it was three hours a day to 10 hours. I write this to remind others as well as myself the sound advice that if it looks to good to be true it most likely is.
Tags: Home Based Business