Finding flexible jobs you can do from anywhere seems like a dream come true… and sometimes it is. But if you’ve ever searched for remote jobs and found suspicious websites and links, you may have asked yourself, “Are work-from-home jobs legitimate?”
The answer, of course, is yes… but that doesn’t mean that scams and false leads don’t exist. Scammers are always looking for ways to take advantage of people, but there are also plenty of wonderful ways to make money working from home. Here are a few ways to tell that the remote job you’re applying for is the real deal.
1. Make sure the URL is legitimate
If you’ve ever received a spam email from someone claiming to be from your bank or another major site, you know how easy it is to duplicate a legitimate website. But don’t trust a job listing just because it has the logo of a major company. Double check the URL, and search online to see if you can find the job listing anywhere else. Also, check social media and make sure the company has a presence and plenty of followers.
If the website is legitimate and the job posting can be found in multiple places, there’s a good chance it’s a legitimate job. Also, take note of the email addresses used for contact. Appen recruiting will only contact candidates using a verified @appen.com or @connect-mail.appen.com email address.
2. Beware of being asked to send money
Although it does not cost money to join Appen, you may be asked to pay a small monthly fee to access some of the job sites out there. You also might be required to have your own equipment, like a computer and a mobile phone. That being said, you should never be asked to send money once you’ve accepted a work-from-home job.
If you’re asked to send gift cards or send money for a background check, supplies, a deposit, or anything of the like, the company is not likely to be legitimate. Even if there are some startup costs involved for a new job, the company should be willing to take them out of your first paycheck.
3. Ask about earnings. Are they realistic?
Whether you’ve been working in your current industry for years or you’re just getting started, you should have an idea of the common rate for your field ― and if you don’t, do some research before you job search. While we’d all love to make top wages working from home, remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If claims of earnings are wildly exaggerated and unrealistic, you’ve probably stumbled upon a scam.
Of course, doing this research will also keep you from accepting a job where the wages are far too low. There are plenty of companies that try to take advantage of people, so make sure the pay rate is fair for the tasks you’ll be doing.
Just practice common sense, watch out for these red flags, and do your research. Make sure to check Appen’s job boards for a flexible position that may be right for you
4. Consider the source… the payment source, that is
One of the first things to look for in a work-from-home opportunity is the payment information, such as method and frequency. While this information might not be in the initial job ad, the person you’re talking to about the job or the information you’ve been sent should have an answer to this question.
A reputable company will pay by direct deposit, through an online payment service like Payoneer, or by check upon invoice. Do not be afraid to ask how often the company pays along with the pay rate. And never send your bank account information directly to a person ― always send it to the payment service.
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Interested in exploring flexible, work-from-home jobs? Appen is hiring!
