Scam or Not?
@long_tall_sally (4)
United States
April 22, 2008 3:18pm CST
Okay, so I was browsing home jobs a couple nights ago (on craigslist), and I came across one that sounded good any applied to it. The posting said:
"We are looking for independent typists. Interested applicants must be fluent in English and possess strong typing skills.
Skill Requirements:
-Good Verbal and written English communication
-Applicants must possess strong typing skills
-You will be fully computer literate and have good data entry skills
This is a good job for students looking for work over the summer. Hours are flexible. Bi-weekly paychecks. Training Provided".
It sounded pretty legit to me, however, I got a reply from them today telling me that I needed to pay 37.00 for the instruction manual. This is their email:
"We appreciate your interest in our company and are happy to provide you with information on our program. You are paid every two weeks on the first and the fifteenth of the month either by cheque mailed to your door or direct deposit whichever you perfer. You will not be required to locate or contact any companies yourself as they will be provided for you through an online database which you will have full access to. What you will be doing is typing promotional ads for these companies following specific guidelines in the instructual mannual you receive. We do not deduct taxes from you pay this will be your responsibility to claim at income tax time. The instruction mannual you receieve will take you through our program in simple step-by-step instructions to get you earning a substantial income from home. The amount you work will depend on what you earn, which is determined entirely by you. If you are ready to get started, you can send in your registration fee of 37.00 ...."
So, what do you think? Scam or no scam? (and if you say no, go for it, can you please explain to me how I would deduct the taxes? I'm so confused by that!)
this is the website, if you want to take a look: www.uniquemarketingsite.com
2 people like this
20 responses
@Ricardosan (215)
• United States
22 Apr 08
Sounds like a scam to me. Can you opt out of buying it?
1 person likes this
@irened100 (132)
• China
23 Apr 08
If they want you to pay before you start work for them, step away from it! Most likely they're scams.
1 person likes this
@berich2008 (76)
• Philippines
23 Apr 08
Beware, there's a lot of scam in the internet world, before you join in any program, try to check it first at scammers alert, it would be of help for your to distinguish if the program is legitimate or just a scam. Good Luck!
1 person likes this
@lovenluck (1068)
• India
23 Apr 08
most of these companies are frauds and if they are asking for a registration fee then it surely is for why should we register ourself for getting a job .A legitimate company requires man power to work for them and doesnot want people who are not sure about the existence of the company working for them,so I think you should stay away from these type of companies and concentrate on site which pays like my lot,etc
@deserteagle (16)
•
23 Apr 08
u should see to that your doing right thing or not.but from your saying i feel that it would some scam site.although some of the information sounds legit to us but u know they obviously attract our attention to them.so dont go deep before it is too late.have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Any legit job do not ask for money. if you pay them they will get what they wanted and you will most probably get nothing but a big hassle. usually they tell you have to jump through hoops to do these types of things. its best to aviod them
1 person likes this
@oneidmnster (1384)
• United States
22 Apr 08
All typing programs are scams.The only thing you'll learn from their training is how to lose money.Any time you have to pay on the internet,it's more than likely a scam.Stick to free programs.
1 person likes this
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
22 Apr 08
You will NEVER have to pay for a legit job. This company is just wanting your $37 and then you will never hear from them again or your work will not be up to there standards don't ever pay for a work at home opportunity. It does not cost to have a job.
1 person likes this
@sirnose (2436)
• United States
22 Apr 08
You should do more investigating this company before you deem it a scam.Some of the info sounds legit they seem to have a support system in place like a phone number but i just don't like that up front money thing.I feel as if you earned a really good wage then they should be willing to deduct that 37 dollars from your first earnings. he,he,he,lol
1 person likes this
@nobodyuknow (153)
• Australia
22 Apr 08
Sounds like a scam to me. It's trying to grab your attention too much. And it's also trying to convince you a lot so you can join up their site. Take bux.to and mylot.com, It was simple and sweet, no 50,000 wall of text trying to convince you to join up.
So in my opinion, I think that websites a scam.
@MatejScorp13 (926)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
22 Apr 08
i would never work something for what i need to pay, and this ofcourse is applied for the online job's becouse there are alot of scams
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
25 Apr 08
I also think it is a scam. I have joined in one like it they say I would just be filling out forms and they pay me. After paying they gave me these password and what's inside are instruction for me to join sites where I would be inputting the data. I followed it only to realized that the site also charges fees to join them. and the cycle goes on and on.
@jbrooks (264)
• United States
24 Apr 08
how i find out if i have a legit business is i get the information and check it out with the better business bureau. they are the best people to help you with this sort of information. i have checked out a few that sounded good and they turned out to be scams
@pdsmith2002 (70)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I am not 100% sure if this is a scam or not - why not send it to scams@sohojobs.org. They will know for sure. If youare looking for work - you may want to consider joining the site. I am a member and I love the fact that they post jobs weekly. All of the jobs that they post, they do verify as legit also.
As for the taxes part - any time you work asan independant contractor or as a business owner - you need to set aside the money to pay taxes at the end of the year. What would happen is they would send a 1099 form to you and teh IRS stating how much you made and it would be your responsibility to pay the taxes on that amount. I am not an accountant - so I can't tell you how much is reasonable to put away - it all depends on your individual circumstances.
@jesbellaine (4139)
• Philippines
23 Apr 08
I am not sure because most of the scam will get money from your first then after that, you will not earn a single cent from them. So, watch out or ifyou really want to give it a try, better to investigate or search some people who tried that one but still, it is hard to trust on those sites.
@grasshopper5257 (438)
• Canada
23 Apr 08
I think if they are truly hiring typing help that they would not be charging $37. I think I would save my $37 and keep looking! Good luck to you!
@RedFeather (427)
• United States
25 Apr 08
start with "every two weeks, on the first and 15th"
anyone who's ever made out OR received payroll checks knows that this doesn't compute.
regardless - do not send in a registration fee - you get a book with a list of places to apply for work at home programs - which is what you are supposed to be doing with them, right?
i know this, because i've done it, i'm sorry to say...
