AboutLeslie Truex Expertise I can answer questions on how to find a work-at-home job online or off including the best sites for finding jobs, how approach an employer about working at home, and other methods for creating a work-at-home job. I can also answer questions about current trends in telecommuting, how to establish a telecommuting program in a company, and how to maximize productivity while working at home.
Experience I have telecommuted as a social worker, writer, web designer and online researcher. I have provided work-at-home job announcements and tips online since 1998 at my site WorkAtHomeSuccess.com. I am the author of Jobs At Home: A Complete Guide to Finding or Creating a Work-At-Home and of the soon to be published The Pajama Mama Guide to Online Employment.
Publications My articles have appeared in various work-at-home and stay-at-home e-zines and web site.
Education/Credentials I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work.
Awards and Honors Work-At-Home Success has been recognized and received several awards from various online resources.
Expert: Leslie Truex Date: 11/16/2007 Subject: Too good to be true job
Question QUESTION: I just recently had a baby a few months ago and decided i needed to make more money so i could get out of my parents house. I was loooking in my newspaper when an add cought my eye saying they needed a part timepersonal assistant and to email in a resume if needed.Well when emailed back they said that i could indeed get the job but that it was a work at home job.(which made me get very excited) But then they went on to say that they work out of russia and they sell things. My job was to take the money orders or electrictonic payments put them into my account and then send the cash to them. I would recieve 5% of every transaction. They said that they need an american becuase russia does not except american money orders or checks. I dont want to get myself into something not lagit or illegal. They gave me phone numbers and the people assured me everything was lagit. However they have no website or anything like that. What do you think? Can i get the job?
ANSWER: Hi Sally,
Thank goodness you decided to ask because people are losing thousands of dollars on this scam. If you had followed through, you would have deposited a bogus check, sent the cash and then be liable to your bank for the money they'd given you.
Legitimate employers will never, ever need you to use your personal bank account to do business. Another rule you should know about is that real jobs won't ask you to pay money to get hired.
QUESTION: Ok why don't you just wait for the check to clear before sending cash? Wouldnt it only take a few days to clear? And they didnt ask me to put any of my own money in so what does that mean?
Answer Hi Sally,
The check may clear initially, but the bank won't get the money. Some times its in a week or it could be a month, but eventually the bank will then notify you that the check was bogus and you'll be responsible for the money you withdrew (its usually in the thousands). Plus there could be legal ramifications and your bank may close your account until you pay the money back.
There are articles and warnings all over the Internet. There are different versions, but here are few you can check out:
Legitimate employers will NEVER use your personal bank account to process its payments. Using common sense you can see why this is suspect: Why would any legitimate company not be able to accept checks from any place it can do business? And why would it be able to take your check and not the customers'?
