If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
As more people seek out side hustles, the risk of falling for scams increases. Scammers prey on the desire to work from home and often exploit individuals into working for free before they realize they’ve been deceived. While there are legitimate side hustles available, many have been infiltrated by scams. According to Business Insider, here are the areas in the gig economy most susceptible to scams:
- Mystery Shopper
- Multi-level Marketing (MLM)
- Envelope Stuffing
- Copy Editing & Writing
- Paid Online Surveys
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Driving
- Fraudulent ICOs
While some side hustles offer legitimate work opportunities, others are merely scams. For instance, envelope stuffing is always a scam and will not yield any profit unless involved in a pyramid scheme. On the contrary, driving is a legal option, but the gig driving sector is plagued with scammers.
To safeguard yourself from gig economy scams, thoroughly research any potential company. Never pay money upfront for a gig opportunity; it should be the company paying you. Avoid working for free, except during a genuine interview scenario that leverages your existing work. Trust your instincts, and if something feels off, it’s best to walk away.
