OT: Telecommute Jobs - Avoiding Scams

Hello everyone,
I have been seriously considering telecommuting for a job. However, the website I am using states that it is not liable for scams. My question to you all is how to prevent being scammed? What I have been doing Is going to the website to confirm They are who they say they are. I appreciate your advice in advance.

Starlette

I have always got my telecommute jobs through people I know. Not much help, I know.

Flexjobs is a site that I have used. I was looking for freelance writing, but there are many options. You use filters so just those jobs you are interested in come your way. You are able to explore the site... You do have to filter TELECOMMUTE and read the fine print. There are many jobs out there...but... You can post your resume and they also have tests you can take that rate your ability. If you are not great at MS Word... do not take the test! Bone up on it first!!!!

They do have a fee. I do not know what it is now, but for me it was $40 for the year (about 4 years ago). I found two freelance writing jobs. One worked out great and the other did not.

http://www.flexjobs.com

Added 10/23/14...They also have a Facebook page

Good luck!

Starlette wrote:Hello everyone,
I have been seriously considering telecommuting for a job. However, the website I am using states that it is not liable for scams. My question to you all is how to prevent being scammed? What I have been doing Is going to the website to confirm They are who they say they are. I appreciate your advice in advance.

Starlette

Hi Starlette - this is a good question. I would recommend a few things:

1. You can ask the site how they deal with scammers;

2. Research how the site is funded. For example, the website: http://www.fiverr.com advertises that it is a site for freelancing work of all kinds. They make their money by charging a $1.00 fee from each 'job' sold. Freelancers have to register through their site to 'sell' their services; therefore, when a sale is made, the site automatically takes their fee out when the customer pays;

3. See if the site has referral sources (other freelancers) that you can communicate with and ask about the site reliability, scammers, etc.

Yes, there are scammers out there. However, many companies are outsourcing jobs that can be done by telecommuting. If the site has been in business for a while and it is designed for services to be provided all online, chances are they have policies in place to deal with scamming.

Hope this helps!