Work-at-home scheme: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:00, 21 May 2023

Revision as of 13:01, 21 May 2023

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In some countries, law enforcement agencies work to fight work-at-home schemes. In 2006, the United States [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) established [[Project False Hopes]], a federal and state law enforcement sweep that targets bogus business opportunities and work-at-home scams. The crackdown involved more than 100 law enforcement actions by the FTC, the Department of Justice, the [[United States Postal Inspection Service]], and law enforcement agencies in eleven states.<ref name="falsehopes"/>

What Are the Benefits of Working from Home?

Numerous benefits of working from home make it appealing to anyone looking for a flexible and autonomous work environment. Here are a few of the main advantages:

Flexible Schedule: Working from home gives you greater control over your time management, allowing you to better balance professional and personal obligations.

Productivity Gains: According to numerous studies, remote employees generally produce more than those who work in offices. You may increase your productivity and get better outcomes with fewer distractions and the option to design a personalised workspace.

Cost Savings: Working from home can drastically lower your monthly spending by removing commuter fees, office clothing prices, and eating out during lunch breaks.

Better Health and Well-being: Reducing stress from everyday commutes and office politics can improve your mental health and general well-being.

[[Home-based business]] and [[remote work]] are a legitimate avenue for employment, but anyone seeking such an employment opportunity can be scammed by accepting home employment offers from individuals or unknown companies. A 2007 report in the United States suggested that about 97% of work-at-home offers were scams.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TakeControlOfYourLife/story?id=3003833&page=1 |title=Working From Home: Don't Get Scammed |publisher=ABC: Good Morning America |date=2007-04-03 |access-date=2009-07-03 |archive-date=2009-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831070821/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TakeControlOfYourLife/story?id=3003833&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Many legitimate jobs at home require some form of post-high-school education, such as a [[college degree]] or certificate, or [[trade school]], and some experience in the field in an office or other supervised setting. Additionally, many legitimate at-home jobs are not like those in schemes are portrayed to be, as they are often performed at least some of the time in the company's office, require more [[self discipline]] than a traditional job, and have a higher risk of [[firing]].

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* [[Money mule]], where the victim is required to receive and cash the fraudulent check and send back part of the proceeds and keep the other part. This is [[money laundering]] and will get the victim in trouble with the bank as well as with the law, as the check bounces (where the victim is liable for the bounced check) and can and often does lead to prosecution.<ref>{{cite web|title=What's a money mule scam?|url=https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/whats-money-mule-scam|publisher=Federal Trade Commission|date=March 4, 2020|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526224411/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/whats-money-mule-scam|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Parcel mule scam|Re-shipping]], where the victim is required to receive the merchandise (often high-priced merchandise such as [[iPhone]]s, [[iPad]]s, [[MacBook]]s, or [[Google Pixel|Pixel smartphones]]) purchased with stolen credit cards (or picked up at carrier service centers or retail stores such as [[Best Buy]]), then ship them eventually overseas, usually to Eastern Europe. The package may be re-shipped to multiple U.S. addresses before leaving for the scammers. The victim is usually in it for about a month, after which their communications with the scammers cease. The victims are usually never paid and lose money, often as a result of paying for shipping supplies, and usually further victimized with identity theft but are generally not prosecuted unless a warning from law enforcement is ignored. This type of scam usually occurs during the winter holiday season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reshipping Scam|url=https://www.iovation.com/topics/reshipping-scam|publisher=TransUnion|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919060219/https://www.iovation.com/topics/reshipping-scam|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''What Are the Benefits of Working from Home?'''

Numerous benefits of working from home make it appealing to anyone looking for a flexible and autonomous work environment. Here are a few of the main advantages:

'''Flexible Schedule:''' Working from home gives you greater control over your time management, allowing you to better balance professional and personal obligations.

'''Productivity Gains:''' According to numerous studies, remote employees generally produce more than those who work in offices. You may increase your productivity and get better outcomes with fewer distractions and the option to design a personalised workspace

'''Cost Savings:''' Working from home can drastically lower your monthly spending by removing commuter fees, office clothing prices, and eating out during lunch breaks.

Better Health and Well-being: Reducing stress from everyday commutes and office politics can improve your mental health and general well-being.

The idea of regular office occupations is rapidly changing in today’s fast-paced environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=grass root |first=information |date=21/05/2023 |title=Discover Exciting Work at Home Opportunities |url=https://grassrootinformtaion.com/discover-exciting-work-at-home-opportunities/ |url-status=live |access-date=21/05/2023 |website=https://grassrootinformtaion.com/}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, work-at-home schemes, as well as victims affected by such schemes, were extremely common.<ref>{{cite web| title=FTC warns of work-from-home scams amid COVID-19 pandemic |url=https://www.fox29.com/news/ftc-warns-of-work-from-home-scams-amid-covid-19-pandemic |publisher=FOX 29 Philadelphia |date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127061347/https://www.fox29.com/news/ftc-warns-of-work-from-home-scams-amid-covid-19-pandemic|url-status=live}}</ref>