One of the questions I get most often is how to tell whether a work from home job posting is a scam or a legitimate job.  There are some warning flags. In addition, there are sites that can help you determine what's a real work at home job and what isn't.

Evaluating Work at Home Jobs

Check out every listing you review.  Find out if there's a salary or if you're paid on commission. Ask how often are you paid and how you are paid.  Ask what equipment (hardware/software) you need to provide.

Do not send money!  Legitimate employers don't charge to hire you or to get you started. Don't send money for work at home directories or start-up kits. 

Ask for references - request a list of other employees or contractors to find out how this has worked for them. Then contact the references to ask how this is working out.

If the company isn't willing to provide references (names, email addresses and phone numbers) do not consider the opportunity.

If it sounds too good to be true, you can be sure it is!

The Work at Home Jobs You Don't Want

Assembly Jobs - No, you can't make lots of money assembling craft kits or any other type of kits.  You can waste money on a package to get you started though.

Data Entry Jobs - You'll see lots of listings for data entry jobs. They are usually either positions posting ads or a sales pitch for a kit that will get you started.

Online Businesses - Do you want to start your own online business and get rich? Be very wary of these type of ads too.  What 'll you do is end up paying for a guide to working at home which duplicates information you can find free.

Posting Ads - There are lots of ads saying workers are needed to post ads on online bulletin boards and forums.  You don't get paid to post, rather you may get paid if other people sign-up.

Processing Claims - In order to get "hired" you'll need to buy equipment, software and pay for training. 

Stuffing Envelopes - Believe it, or not, there are still people saying that you can earn $3 or $4 per envelope to stuff them. You can't. All major companies have postage machines which stuff, sort and meter mail.

The winner in the scam contest are the sites that offer to sell provide you with information on only legitimate work at home jobs - for a nominal fee, of course.   Don't do it!