Data entry is one of the most prevalent job openings on the Internet. Every job board you go to has got ten, twenty, thirty job openings for data entry, sometimes even more. I have bad news: I am willing to bet dollars to donuts that 99.99% of these jobs are scams. Makes ya want to sit down and just cry, I know.
The way the data entry scam works is you read an ad saying that this company is hiring typists, you can make really good money for almost nothing, and all you have to do to get the info on how to do this is send them a $10 nonrefundable fee. They will send you an instruction packet that will tell you step-by-step how to do this data entry and get rich doing pretty much nothing. The scam? The “instruction packet” they send you will tell you to take the ad you just read, copy and paste it (that’s where the “data entry” part comes in) on a job board, and wait for other people as foolish as you to pay you $10, so you then send them the same “instruction packet” you just received. This continues ad nauseum, until the world finally gets smart enough NOT to fall for it anymore.
I thought that a real-life illustration would help y’all know how to spot these scams 30 yards off, so I found the following online–it is a real job ad:
“Thank you for your interest in this Home Based Data Entry/Typing Position. This Work At Home Based Data Entry/Typing Position is a great opportunity for stay at home moms, dads or anyone who wants to work in the comfort of their own homes. Anyone can work with this system. There is no calling strangers or stuffing envelopes.”
Yadda, yadda.
“No taking surveys or anything like that, just a legit way to make money using your computer at home.”
SCREECH!! Anyone who has to say that they’re legitimate is almost never legit. When I read an ad that says over and over again, “We’re legit! We’re legit!” I know they’re the biggest scam this side of the Mississippi.
“By now you might be curious and would like to know some details. Well, here they are. … These Home Based Data Entry / Typing Position should earn *$300.00 – $900.00 per week.”
WARNING! High amounts of money being paid for very little work is a huge red flag.
“We are seeking only honest, self-motivated people with a desire to work in the home typing and data entry field, from the comfort of their own homes. The preferred applicants should be at least 18 years old with Internet access. No experience is needed.”
No, only gullibility.
“The following skills are desirable:
*Basic computer and typing skills
*Ability to spell and type neatly
*Ability to follow instructions
Requirements:
*Computer with Internet access.
*Valid email address
*Good typing skills
*Basic Internet knowledge”
They throw all of this in to make it look more legit. They quite frankly couldn’t care less–they just want their $10.
“You will need an E-mail account because that is where all your orders will be sent. You do not have to call anyone; all contacts will be made via E-mail. You will be processing orders, which will be explained to you in the training materials.”
Another huge red flag. If they will not explain to you what you are doing upfront, then they are hiding something. If you are going to be working for them, you need to know what it is you’re doing.
“There is no contract to sign; the amount of orders you choose to process is entirely up to you.”
Red flags as far as you can see.
“Compensation:
You will get paid $10 – $30 for each order you process. For example; if you process 30 orders in a week you will make $300.00 – $900.00 weekly.”
Curious. The amount of pay for the job is the same amount you are paying for your materials. Things that make you go hmm…
“You will be responsible for keeping track of your earnings for tax time, as we do NOT take out any tax or provide you with a 1099 form; this is entirely your responsibility to take care of income tax in your country.”
Okay, even if you ignored all other red flags, this one should have just konked you over the head. Any company operating here in America is required by law to provide all employees with a 1099, if the employee make more than $600 that year. This is not an optional thing, where companies can pick and choose. THEY HAVE TO. And according to this ad, you are going to make $600 in just one week, so you are definitely going to need a 1099. At this point, you can just start laughing at their stupidity. It’s funny. Almost.
“I don’t live in the USA can I still do the work? Yes! The only countries excluded are: Cuba and Afghanistan.”
Okay, that one did made me laugh. Does PayPal not accept payments in Cuban or Afghanistanian money? That is the only reason I can think of for this being in there. Sheesh.
“Method of Payment:
You can receive your payment in your PayPal account or by check.
There is a “One Time Non-Refundable Fee” of $10.00. The cost will cover the training material sent to you. Once you process your very first order you will have made back this fee “GUARANTEED”!”
Any time there is a nonrefundable fee, this should make the hairs on the back of your neck stick straight up. And of course you will make your fee back in the first order you process—you are going to make exactly what you just paid out because you are going to be running the same scam. Lovely.
“Please undertand that we charge this small processing fee to protect ourselves from those who are not serious about this work at home opportunity. No business can afford to cover administrative costs, wasted time or provide costly materials to everyone who inquires about this position. This small fee assures us that you are serious about working from home.”
Any legitimate company could most definitely pay the administrative costs involved in hiring new people!!! How many times have you paid to get a job at the school district? Or the pizza joint? Or the bank? Every company pays money to hire new people—that’s the way the world turns.
Shockingly enough, this e-mail goes on even from here (this is one of the longest ads of this kind that I have ever run across,) but I think you get the point. Basically, use your common sense when you’re reading these sorts of ads. I have heard story after story of people paying their $10 (or even $15, $30, $50) for this scam, and then not being able to get their money back through PayPal because the ad clearly states it is a nonrefundable fee. If you pay it, you’ll never see that money again.
I am not all doom and gloom, however. As a ray of sunshine, please check out my article where I talk about the only legitimate data entry job available on the Internet (that I know about anyway.) Also, don’t miss this article that covers just why data entry jobs are so scarce. Best of luck in finding a true work at home job!!!!