Home Business Credit Card Scams: Beware

With the sluggish economy were now living in, the promises of success with home-based businesses seem to be everywhere. After I unwittingly became the victim of one of these scams, I decided to examine them more carefully so I might give advice to others considering the same option.

Most jobs that can be performed at home involved data entry to taking orders through your home phone line for other companies. The opportunity looks great, promises lots of money, and many even back up their claims with a guarantee. Thats what convinced me; if I wasnt satisfied Id simply get my money back.

I spent days researching several ones. I focused one those that did not sell just the software to show you how to make money at home. But actually stated that I was working for them and all I had to do was go to their website and pull data to enter into forms. Sounded easy enough.

I picked one that guaranteed 100% money back, and, of course the \”special offer\” of a discount to the first one hundred people applying. The website promotion and what actually was delievered were night and day. As soon as I hit apply and entered my credit card information, I discovered I was duped. I had become a victim of a home business opportunity scam.

They informed me that my website was ready to promote. They had a website for me to promote credit cards. All I had to was enter it into hundreds of search engines. I would have to promote the credit card website through FaceBook and other forums online. This is not mentioned anywhere on their initial site. I was also required to apply for four credit cards and when approved I would receive $20 back for each one. This never happened since they later said I could only receive it after I made $500.

I was not eligible to receive any money until I generated leads for them. It always seemed to be some reasoning for them not to pay. There is no help forum or any way to contact them except through email which rarely received replies. When there were replies they were automatically generated and rarely ansered the question asked.

I repeatedly requested a refund to no avail and finally tried to call the number that was on my credit card bill. It was based in Australia and the voicemail requested to leave a message and someone would get back to me. This never happened as well. I ended up filing a fraud complaint with my credit card company and currently await a credit to my account.

Im a college graduate. Im embarrassed to have fallen for this scam. I know being desperate for a paycheck is stressful though and I was in a place where I was susceptible to the lure of easy money. I am ready and willing to work hard, I just couldnt do that through opportunities like this that are based on deception. I really want others to realize that a job probably isnt legitimate if the promises are too good to be true; research carefully before you take a chance on a work-at-home business.