What Can Work-From-Home Job Scammers Do With Your Information?
Because these scammers can more naturally extract your most personal identifying information, the consequences can be terrifying. (Totally not trying to scare you here, but…)
Hutt says work-from-home job scams can fall into two major “buckets”: stealing your money and/or stealing your identity.
Regarding stealing your money, perhaps your “employer” sends you a check for any expenses. (Think mystery shopping: Go out and buy these things and I’ll pay you.) You go to deposit the check, and it’s a fake.
Or maybe the “employer” wants to make a direct deposit. Don’t share that information.
The second bucket includes identity theft. This might occur when you set up automatic, direct deposits for paychecks.
This can also occur when you think you’re filling out routine employment paperwork, which asks for your name, address, Social Security number — everything.
Falling into either scam bucket will leave you with a hijacked identity or a sad bank account.
4 Questions That’ll Help You Detect a Work-From-Home Job Scam
OK, so you obviously want to avoid these nightmarish scenarios. Hutt talked me through how you can avoid falling into these traps.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you being asked to accept or send money right away?
Like Hutt said, don’t accept or send money — unless you’re positive it’s legitimate.
“Even for a uniform,” she said. Say a company needs you to send over $30 for said uniform. That’s not common protocol. Usually, companies just take those expenses out of your first paycheck.
Same goes for background checks, so-called starter kits and other expenses. And never, ever submit your information to the company itself for a background check.
2. Is the job listing generic or too good to be true?
If the listing uses generic language or is super short or vague, this requires some digging on your end.
Common scams can be found in those classic entry-level, work-from-home customer service gigs — no training required.
“If it’s too easy, it’s more likely to be a scam,” Hutt said. “Scammers will go a certain distance, but, at the end of the day, they just want you on the hook.”
That goes for those too-good-to-be-true opportunities, too. Sure, shopping to make money sounds great, but is it legitimate?
3. Did you check the job listing URL?
“Scammers will pretend to be legitimate companies,” Hutt said. “They might steal the brand.”
Don’t trust the job listing just because the little Target bullseye and logo are on the site, for example. Hutt says even the Better Business Bureau has had its brand stolen in the past — same logo, same colors.
Examine the website. Check the URL. It is target.com? If it’s target.jobs.com, that’s a red flag.
It’s best if you go to the actual company’s main website, and look for the link to its employment or careers page.”That way, you can be sure you are applying for a job that really exists rather than a work-from-home scam that mimics a real company,” Hutt said.
You can also stick any URL or email address into Google. Put quotation marks on either side, and search. Articles warning against scams might pop up.
“Google everything,” Hutt said. Also use that scam tracker I mentioned above to search the company’s name.
4. Consider Who You’ve Talked To
Even if you get ahold of the “employer” on the phone, don’t be so sure — especially if it’s only for a five-minute interview.
face-to-face interactions are best. Of course, that’s not always the case with work-from-home jobs, so be wary, the more skeptical you are, the easier it will be to detect a scam.
Be Careful How You Find Work-From-Home Jobs
Sure, Craigslist is a great way to find jobs. In fact, several of our founding employees here at The Penny Hoarder found their jobs through a Craigslist ad.
However, because Craigslist doesn’t monitor postings, you must be extra careful. One key is to see if you spot the same listing in multiple cities, Hutt says. It doesn’t mean the job isn’t legitimate, but it means you need to put your detective hat on.
Try instead searching on these 14 legitimate job-search platforms. Typically, these sites screen and even hand-pick the featured listings.
Take, for example, ZipRecruiter, where you can find geo-located work-from-home jobs.Its first barrier is that it costs employers a monthly fee to post a job listing, weeding out some scammers. It also has a flag tool available to job-seeking users. If a listing looks fishy, flag it. ZipRecruiter’s Trust and Safety Team will hop in a review it.
What to Do If You Find a Work-From-Home Job Scam
Report it, the Better Business Bureau developed its BBB Scam Tracker.
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Freelancers: Here’s Why You Might Need an LLC and How to Form One
The newly-passed Republican tax bill is expected to increase the number of freelance workers and independent contractors in the coming months and years.
But there’s more to freelancing than hanging out a shingle and announcing you’re open for business. There are tax implications, too.
One way to protect yourself from the tax bill fallout is to form a limited liability company to shield your income.
The New York Times recently provided an example: “Our colleague Neil Irwin, who writes on economics and business, is paid as an employee of The New York Times. But under the Senate tax bill, he’d be much better off turning himself into a business and collecting the equivalent of his earnings and benefits as payments to a hypothetical new company, Irwin Scribblings, LLC.”
Freelancers have enough on their minds trying to find clients, invoice customers, collect payments and do the work they were hired to do. Who’s got time to worry about forming an official company with the state for legal protection?
If you’re a savvy freelancer, you should probably make the time.
You put your heart and soul into building your freelance business. Why not spend a few hours setting up a limited liability company to protect yourself — and your assets — in case you wind up in court?
What’s a Limited Liability Company?
A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business structure that protects your home, car and other personal assets in the event of a lawsuit related to your freelance work.
No one plans to go bankrupt or get tangled up in a lawsuit, but if it happens, an LLC also limits your potential loss of personal possessions and bank accounts.
“Granted, this is not absolute. If you are grossly negligent, engage in a fraud or commit a crime, then you will likely not get limited liability protection,” notes Tom Taulli, founder of Pathway Tax.
LLCs may also provide some welcome tax benefits. In some cases, they may allow your profits to be taxed at a lower tax bracket.
LLCs can even have a positive impact on your personal taxes.
“By setting up an LLC, you… avoid paying both personal and business taxes on your freelance income,” explains New York-based CPA Jonathan Medows.
It’s important to note that even though you won’t pay corporate taxes on your business profits as an LLC, you’ll still have to pay self-employment contributions to Medicare and Social Security.
With the exception of a few businesses like banks and insurance companies, just about any business can become an LLC.
To find out if your business meets the criteria, Google “limited liability company” and the name of your state for more information.
How to Set Up a Limited Liability Company
Forming an LLC is usually just a matter of filling out a few forms and paying a filing fee. Here’s how to get started.
1. Choose a Name for Your Business
Before you get started on the paperwork, decide on a legal name for your company.
There are a number of things to consider when naming your business, including whether it’s memorable, reflects your brand and meets the naming rules of your state. Be sure to also make sure no one else is already using the name you have in mind.
“Good LLC names are worth their weight in gold. Choosing the right LLC name for your business is an important part of the startup process. Your future LLC name not only works to identify your company; it’s also the name on which you’ll be building your brand,” says LegalZoom’s Belle Wong.
2. Complete the Paperwork
Check Nolo’s “50-State Guide to Forming a Professional LLC” for links to your state’s LLC documents and other LLC resources.
You can download the forms you need and fill them out manually or, in most states, simply complete your application online.
To get the process underway, fill out the Articles of Organization form. You’ll need to include your business name, business address, and other basic information about your business.
In some states — like Florida, for instance — that’s all there is to it, while others may require additional documentation like copies of any business or professional licenses before your application is processed.
Instructions on how to fill out the form are included with all LLC forms and paperwork, but if you have any questions it’s wise to contact a tax professional for help.
3. Choose a Registered Agent if Required
Most states require LLC applicants to name a registered agent — someone who agrees to accept legal paperwork on behalf of your business.
You can act as your own registered agent, appoint a friend or relative or hire a registered agent to act on your behalf.
4. Consider Preparing an Operating Agreement
Though not required in every state, it may be worth it to draw up an operating agreement anyway.
“An operating agreement will help you guard your limited liability status, head off financial and management misunderstandings, and make sure your business is governed by your own rules — not default rules created by your state,” explains Nolo’s Beth Laurence.
5. Pay the Fee
The final step toward becoming an LLC is to pay the filing fee required by your state.
Fees vary by state; they’re generally around $100 but can run as high as $800 in fees and annual taxes.
Whether or not to form an LLC is a personal decision that depends on a number of factors unique to each business. It’s worth considering, though, for its added protection and peace of mind.
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Legit Work-From-Home Jobs to Try
Here are five suggestions for legitimate work-from-home jobs to try instead of the ones CBS recommends you avoid:
1. Instead of Stuffing Envelopes, Try Earning Passive Income
Companies often advertise earnings of up to $1,200 per week for envelope stuffing, CBS reports — a number worthy of enduring the tedious task.
But hopefuls are asked to pay an upfront fee, and often discover afterwards that there are few envelopes to stuff — so they won’t actually make any money.
Skip the papercuts and set up a passive income stream online. The money won’t be immediate and it’ll take some effort, but truck driver Matthew Allen of Dumb Passive Income makes thousands of dollars a month — and he hasn’t even quit his day job.
If you took it full time, you could do even better.
2. Instead of Assembly Work, Try Crafting or Freelance Writing
Don’t fall for this one: after being asked to pay the price of parts, the creations you assemble might still be rejected as substandard.
If you’re creative, try making your own original handmade items and selling them on Etsy. This mom’s project took off and now makes her $70,000 per month.
If you have a way with words, try your hand at freelance writing. Lots of blogs pay for submissions— including The Penny Hoarder!
3. Instead of Processing Rebates, Try Being a Call Center Representative
Did you know you could be an AppleCare representative from your couch?
In the digital age, there’s no need to crowd telephone-based workers into costly offices, so lots of companies are moving toward hiring remote customer service reps.
And assisting with a variety of individual problems is bound to be more interesting than processing rebates, even if 70% of your job is asking callers, “Did you try a reboot?”
You’ll receive technical training, but some experience in technology troubleshooting would probably be helpful.
4. Instead of Medical Billing, Try Transcription
If you’re willing to codify treatments and add up medical bills, would you listen to a TV show or phone call on repeat and type what you hear?
You could make up to $25 per hour, and no less than an hourly $15 — a far cry from paying $6,000 for absolutely nothing in return.
If you’re familiar with medical terminology, you’ll be the perfect medical transcriptionist — a subcategory of the job on the higher end of the pay scale.
5. Instead of Multi-level Marketing, Try Udemy
It’s a real bummer to get an unexpected, excited phone call from a friend — only to discover she’s just trying to get you to sit in on her Arbonne webinar.
Selling Avon or Beachbody products might work for some, but it can distance you from the friends and family you need to recruit to make substantial earnings. And if you’re unsuccessful in your efforts at recruitment and sales, you’ll be stuck with a bunch of makeup or vitamins — and none of your investment cash.
If you like working with people and want to improve their lives, teach one of your skills to others on Udemy. You’ll be selling people a viable skill instead of lip gloss — and there’s no fee to get started.
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A Place for Mom, the largest senior-living referral service in the U.S., is looking for an onboarding coordinator and a customer service coordinator. Both jobs require communicating over the phone and through email with A Place for Mom customers and partners.
These jobs with A Place for Mom are totally remote, so you have the freedom to work from the comfort of your home office (or couch).
But if these jobs aren’t calling your name, no worries. Check out our Jobs page on Facebook, where we’re always posting new work-from-home opportunities!
Onboarding Coordinator at A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom is looking for a work-from-home onboarding coordinator. In this position, you would be working with senior living communities that are new partners.
Pay: Hourly, not specified
Responsibilities include:
Customer Experience Coordinator at A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom is also looking for a work-from-home customer experience coordinator.
You would be in charge of answering questions and concerns from partner senior living communities and affiliate brands.
Pay: Hourly, not specifiedResponsibilities include:
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Online Tutor Jobs at Brainfuse
Pay: $10 to $15 per hour
Schedule: Flexible, choose your own hours
Applicants for this position must have:
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Online News Site Will Pay You to Summarize the Day’s News
Newser, a news curation website, is hiring a full-time editor with a knack for writing news round ups covering everything from President Donald Trump to weird crimes to — currently on the front page — an obituary for the wildly famous feline Keyboard Cat.
The full-time position includes four shifts during a 32-hour work week during which you’d be responsible for churning out 250-word stories.
One word of warning: The application requires you to turn in two of your own 250-word summaries of a couple news articles, so there is some time investment to the hiring process.
If writing about current affairs gives you anxiety (like it probably does for so, so many of us), don’t forget to check out our Jobs page on Facebook. We post new opportunities there all the time.
Full-Time Editor at Newser
Responsibilities include:
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Here’s Exactly How to Become a VIPKID Teacher
At its core, VIPKID is an a la carte, online educational service for teaching English to Chinese students.
Every day, thousands of teachers open up half-hour teaching blocks (lessons are 25 minutes long), then VIPKID users log in and choose the teacher and timeframe they prefer. (We’ll have more on how to make the most of this system below.)
VIPKID provides teachers slides and a lesson plan for each teaching block.
Because Beijing is 12 or 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time (depending on daylight saving time), you’re best to do the lessons early in the morning. But weekends offer more flexibility, because the Chinese students aren’t in school.
VIPKID teachers earn a base rate of $7 to $9 per block they teach. But you can also earn a $1 incentive for each block if you teach 45 classes a month and another $1 if you finish the classes on time.
Ross, who just got a raise, makes the maximum amount per block: $11, or $22 an hour.
VIPKID requires a bachelor’s degree, one year of teaching experience, high-speed internet and the ability to pass a background check. But you don’t need to know Chinese.
After applying, you’ll go through some mock lessons. You’ll find plenty of information on how to breeze through those tests here.
It took Ross two weeks to get through the process, but she said she thinks she could have done it faster if she hadn’t been working full time.
8 Tips to Get the Most out of VIPKID
Here are 10 tips and tricks Ross shared for aspiring VIPKID teachers to make the most out of the tutoring service:
1. Find a VIPKID Veteran for Advice
At first, running a gauntlet of back-to-back 25-minute teaching blocks can seem overwhelming. Having a friend, family member or former colleague who is teaching through VIPKID to guide you will help immensely, Ross says.
“Find someone who knows what they’re doing,” she suggests.
There are also plenty of helpful videos on YouTube.
2. Find an Original Angle for Your Teaching Style
You’ll be competing with thousands of other remote teachers for the attention of Chinese parents, so having an original bio and teaching style will keep regulars coming back.
Ross uses her guitar and sometimes plays along with students who break out their own instruments during a lesson. Here’s an example of a VIPKID-sanctioned musical number:
To see New Zealand is my wish
I want to eat some yams and fish
That definitely slaps with an electric guitar under it.
Ross also uses puppets during lessons, because the really young student might not even understand the concept of a conversation. She can summon a funny voice and use her puppets to help set the stage for the lesson of the day.
Jennifer Ross says that before communication is fluent, fun objects often bridge the gap. Carmen Mandato/ The Penny Hoarder
3. Stick With Mornings or Evenings — Not Both
As mentioned earlier, you have more flexibility working on the weekends. But Ross suggests picking either mornings or evenings to avoid burnout.
“Unless you don’t like sleep,” she says.
4. Be Prepared
You’ll get summaries of the lessons before you actually have to start teaching — so learn them!
Ross has been doing this long enough that she knows most of the lesson plans, but being unprepared can turn a 25-minute lesson into a stressful teaching experience.
5. Learn How to Pace Yourself
It’s a big learning curve trying to figure out how to limit — or stretch — a lesson to 25 minutes.
But Ross suggests not sticking to the allotted one-minute-per-slide rule and moving forward if your student finishes a slide early. That way, you’ll have time to linger on slides they’re struggling with. If you have some time left over at the end of the lesson, go back over some of the material you covered.
6. Pick the Amount of Work That’s Right for You
Ross tries to fit in 24 hours of VIPKID a week, working in a few hours each morning or evening, depending on daylight saving time. This offers several benefits: She’s guaranteed the $1 incentive and makes more than $500 a week.
But even if you only teach a few hours per week, the income can put a dent in your cable, utility or cell phone bill at the end of the month.
7. Recruit Qualified Friends
Ross has only recruited five or six of her fellow teachers, but this is another way to make extra cash with VIPKID.
You can make $100 for referrals. A referral is considered successful once they teach their first class. Plus, you can serve as their mentor and help them get through their first few weeks on the job.
8. Get Ahead of Your Taxes
As an independent contractor, you’ll receive a 1099 form from VIPKID to file your taxes — which, regardless of this being a side gig, you do have to do.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to doing your taxes as an independent contractor. But Ross says it’s really not as scary as you might think.
VIPKID Can Be a Real Life Changer
Jennifer Ross's home office allows her optimum flexibility for being a VIPKID tutor. Carmen Mandato/ The Penny Hoarder
Since she started working from home (and way fewer hours than the 80 per week she previously taught), Ross says she’s completely changed her lifestyle.
“I eat healthier and I exercise more,” she says. “There are so many things that go along with the whole package here.”
Later this month, she’ll take a vacation to Asheville, North Carolina. She’ll pack for the cooler weather and bring headphones and her computer.
And, of course, a few puppets, in case she wants to pick up a few VIPKID teaching blocks.
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Teach ESL Online: What’s QKids?
Formerly called Funbulous, QKids is an online-learning platform that’s been around since 2015. It’s focused on teaching English as a second language to students between ages 5 and 12.
And QKids needs more teachers.
How to Qualify
QKids’ virtual teachers have a variety of professional backgrounds. So no, you don’t have to already be a teacher.
Here are the basic qualifications:
Brumbaugh outlined the steps she took to sign up as a QKids teacher.
Here’s how it worked:
“They were always happy to answer any questions I had and made me feel like a valued team member, not just another candidate,” she says.
Brumbaugh’s Experience Teaching ESL Online Through QKids
As a QKids teacher, Brumbaugh teaches 36 half-hour sessions a week.
She opts for early-morning classes, starting at 6:40 a.m. her time in Fort Worth, Texas, and late-night classes, until 11:50 p.m.
It’s important to keep in mind you’re often teaching kids across the world, so you should be willing to maintain flexible hours. Still, you get to choose your shifts.
In each session, Brumbaugh works through her computer screen with a group of kids. In a recent lesson, she had a class of five students who ranged from 6 to 11 years old.
She’s not left entirely on her own to teach the classes. QKids sets up the curriculum for each class beforehand, so you won’t be doing any lesson planning.
“The curriculum is set for you before class, and your job is to simply guide the children through the lesson, offering guidance, smiles and tons of encouragement,” she says.
Brumbaugh says the software QKids provided is easy to use. Even better, it has cute animations and games that help keep the kids engaged.
Plus, because QKids teachers guide a group of kids, the students often help each other out, showing each other the correct answers, much like in a classroom.
“This is one of the main reasons I went with QKids,” Brumbaugh says. She had researched a number of places to teach ESL online. “Having an actual [virtual] classroom creates a more productive learning session and such positive energy that is hard to create on your own.”
QKids teachers get paid at the end of each month. Depending on your teacher rating (you’re rated by parents and students), you earn between $16 and $20 an hour.
Thus far, Brumbaugh says she has had nothing but a positive experience through QKids.
“The students are hard-working, curious and light up the classroom with their smiles,” she says. “Class time actually goes by fast, and the only con I can see is sometimes I wish I had more time to spend with them!”
To apply to become an ESL teacher through QKids, start by filling out the five-minute online application.
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5 Companies That Hire Remote Workers
How Much Could You Get Paid?
Although these positions generally don’t pay high wages, many do provide a regular paycheck and health insurance, among other benefits.
For example, Convergys work-from-home jobs come with “a full benefit package with medical, dental and vision coverage.” The company offers a 401(k) plan, and reimburses employees for college tuition.
As a Convergys agent, you take customer calls and provide other services for large corporations. The company has clients in industries like automotive, communications and media, financial services and many more.
5 Companies That Often Offer Work-From-Home Customer Service Jobs
If you’re having trouble getting started on your work-from-home job search, these five companies often hire work-from-home employees.
Just keep an eye on them.
If you want a particular type of work, ask about what you’ll be doing before accepting the job.
1. SYKES Home
Sykes hires agents to work from home throughout the United States and Canada. The company encourages you to “join the team of 6,000 agents across North America who accept inbound calls routed virtually to their homes.” Apply to work for the company here.
Pay: Glassdoor shows wages ranging from $9.09 to $10.41 per hour. For U.S. employees, Sykes offers health care and 401(k) contributions.
2. TeleTech
Although TeleTech offers many customer service jobs at call centers across the U.S., the company also hires at-home workers. Just look for the listings with “work from home” or “Remote” under “Location.”
Pay: Indeed shows wages varying by position, with a range from $9.05 to $12.84 per hour. Glassdoorlists health and dental plans and a 401(k) as some of TeleTech’s benefits.
3. VIPdesk Connect
Like many of these companies, VIPdesk Connect provides “outsourced customer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Pay: Glassdoor shows pay of about $10 per hour, and the company says it provides paid vacation days; performance incentives; and (for full-time workers) medical, dental and vision insurance.
4. iQor
You’ll find this statement on the iQor website: “You’ve got energy, enthusiasm, drive and determination. We’ve got benefits, flexible schedules, and a career path that rewards performance with growth and opportunity.” Is that you?
Pay: Glassdoor says the average wage is about $10 an hour. Benefits listed on Glassdoor include performance bonuses, paid time off and health and dental insurance.
5. Convergys
Convergys is consistently hiring work-from-home customer service representatives. If it’s not now, just keep an eye on its listings.
Pay: What you’ll get paid depends largely on your location, but Glassdoor reports salaries in the $10 range.
Other Work-From-Home Jobs
Because you’d work for a company that contracts services to a variety of clients, the work you do could change as clients fluctuate.
You might spend months explaining to customers how to set up smart TVs, and then become a complaint handler when your employer gets a new client. You could even end up as a debt collector.
But if customer service just isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other work-from-home opportunities out there.
Work-From-Home Job Sites
Take a look at these job-search sites and do your own personalized searches. Also, keep an eye on The Penny Hoarder’s Facebook jobs page. There, you’ll see the most up-to-date listings we’ve found.
You should also check out work-from-home jobs on ZipRecruiter, the country’s fastest-growing online job site. You can find work-from-home jobs based on your location.
Work for Yourself
You could also consider working for yourself and striking up your own work-from-home business. That’s even better because oftentimes you can pick and choose your own schedule.
And no, starting a business isn’t easy. But there are a ton of online courses out there to get you started.
Here are a few that are tailored to different trades:
Because these scammers can more naturally extract your most personal identifying information, the consequences can be terrifying. (Totally not trying to scare you here, but…)
Hutt says work-from-home job scams can fall into two major “buckets”: stealing your money and/or stealing your identity.
Regarding stealing your money, perhaps your “employer” sends you a check for any expenses. (Think mystery shopping: Go out and buy these things and I’ll pay you.) You go to deposit the check, and it’s a fake.
Or maybe the “employer” wants to make a direct deposit. Don’t share that information.
The second bucket includes identity theft. This might occur when you set up automatic, direct deposits for paychecks.
This can also occur when you think you’re filling out routine employment paperwork, which asks for your name, address, Social Security number — everything.
Falling into either scam bucket will leave you with a hijacked identity or a sad bank account.
4 Questions That’ll Help You Detect a Work-From-Home Job Scam
OK, so you obviously want to avoid these nightmarish scenarios. Hutt talked me through how you can avoid falling into these traps.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you being asked to accept or send money right away?
Like Hutt said, don’t accept or send money — unless you’re positive it’s legitimate.
“Even for a uniform,” she said. Say a company needs you to send over $30 for said uniform. That’s not common protocol. Usually, companies just take those expenses out of your first paycheck.
Same goes for background checks, so-called starter kits and other expenses. And never, ever submit your information to the company itself for a background check.
2. Is the job listing generic or too good to be true?
If the listing uses generic language or is super short or vague, this requires some digging on your end.
Common scams can be found in those classic entry-level, work-from-home customer service gigs — no training required.
“If it’s too easy, it’s more likely to be a scam,” Hutt said. “Scammers will go a certain distance, but, at the end of the day, they just want you on the hook.”
That goes for those too-good-to-be-true opportunities, too. Sure, shopping to make money sounds great, but is it legitimate?
3. Did you check the job listing URL?
“Scammers will pretend to be legitimate companies,” Hutt said. “They might steal the brand.”
Don’t trust the job listing just because the little Target bullseye and logo are on the site, for example. Hutt says even the Better Business Bureau has had its brand stolen in the past — same logo, same colors.
Examine the website. Check the URL. It is target.com? If it’s target.jobs.com, that’s a red flag.
It’s best if you go to the actual company’s main website, and look for the link to its employment or careers page.”That way, you can be sure you are applying for a job that really exists rather than a work-from-home scam that mimics a real company,” Hutt said.
You can also stick any URL or email address into Google. Put quotation marks on either side, and search. Articles warning against scams might pop up.
“Google everything,” Hutt said. Also use that scam tracker I mentioned above to search the company’s name.
4. Consider Who You’ve Talked To
Even if you get ahold of the “employer” on the phone, don’t be so sure — especially if it’s only for a five-minute interview.
face-to-face interactions are best. Of course, that’s not always the case with work-from-home jobs, so be wary, the more skeptical you are, the easier it will be to detect a scam.
Be Careful How You Find Work-From-Home Jobs
Sure, Craigslist is a great way to find jobs. In fact, several of our founding employees here at The Penny Hoarder found their jobs through a Craigslist ad.
However, because Craigslist doesn’t monitor postings, you must be extra careful. One key is to see if you spot the same listing in multiple cities, Hutt says. It doesn’t mean the job isn’t legitimate, but it means you need to put your detective hat on.
Try instead searching on these 14 legitimate job-search platforms. Typically, these sites screen and even hand-pick the featured listings.
Take, for example, ZipRecruiter, where you can find geo-located work-from-home jobs.Its first barrier is that it costs employers a monthly fee to post a job listing, weeding out some scammers. It also has a flag tool available to job-seeking users. If a listing looks fishy, flag it. ZipRecruiter’s Trust and Safety Team will hop in a review it.
What to Do If You Find a Work-From-Home Job Scam
Report it, the Better Business Bureau developed its BBB Scam Tracker.
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Freelancers: Here’s Why You Might Need an LLC and How to Form One
The newly-passed Republican tax bill is expected to increase the number of freelance workers and independent contractors in the coming months and years.
But there’s more to freelancing than hanging out a shingle and announcing you’re open for business. There are tax implications, too.
One way to protect yourself from the tax bill fallout is to form a limited liability company to shield your income.
The New York Times recently provided an example: “Our colleague Neil Irwin, who writes on economics and business, is paid as an employee of The New York Times. But under the Senate tax bill, he’d be much better off turning himself into a business and collecting the equivalent of his earnings and benefits as payments to a hypothetical new company, Irwin Scribblings, LLC.”
Freelancers have enough on their minds trying to find clients, invoice customers, collect payments and do the work they were hired to do. Who’s got time to worry about forming an official company with the state for legal protection?
If you’re a savvy freelancer, you should probably make the time.
You put your heart and soul into building your freelance business. Why not spend a few hours setting up a limited liability company to protect yourself — and your assets — in case you wind up in court?
What’s a Limited Liability Company?
A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business structure that protects your home, car and other personal assets in the event of a lawsuit related to your freelance work.
No one plans to go bankrupt or get tangled up in a lawsuit, but if it happens, an LLC also limits your potential loss of personal possessions and bank accounts.
“Granted, this is not absolute. If you are grossly negligent, engage in a fraud or commit a crime, then you will likely not get limited liability protection,” notes Tom Taulli, founder of Pathway Tax.
LLCs may also provide some welcome tax benefits. In some cases, they may allow your profits to be taxed at a lower tax bracket.
LLCs can even have a positive impact on your personal taxes.
“By setting up an LLC, you… avoid paying both personal and business taxes on your freelance income,” explains New York-based CPA Jonathan Medows.
It’s important to note that even though you won’t pay corporate taxes on your business profits as an LLC, you’ll still have to pay self-employment contributions to Medicare and Social Security.
With the exception of a few businesses like banks and insurance companies, just about any business can become an LLC.
To find out if your business meets the criteria, Google “limited liability company” and the name of your state for more information.
How to Set Up a Limited Liability Company
Forming an LLC is usually just a matter of filling out a few forms and paying a filing fee. Here’s how to get started.
1. Choose a Name for Your Business
Before you get started on the paperwork, decide on a legal name for your company.
There are a number of things to consider when naming your business, including whether it’s memorable, reflects your brand and meets the naming rules of your state. Be sure to also make sure no one else is already using the name you have in mind.
“Good LLC names are worth their weight in gold. Choosing the right LLC name for your business is an important part of the startup process. Your future LLC name not only works to identify your company; it’s also the name on which you’ll be building your brand,” says LegalZoom’s Belle Wong.
2. Complete the Paperwork
Check Nolo’s “50-State Guide to Forming a Professional LLC” for links to your state’s LLC documents and other LLC resources.
You can download the forms you need and fill them out manually or, in most states, simply complete your application online.
To get the process underway, fill out the Articles of Organization form. You’ll need to include your business name, business address, and other basic information about your business.
In some states — like Florida, for instance — that’s all there is to it, while others may require additional documentation like copies of any business or professional licenses before your application is processed.
Instructions on how to fill out the form are included with all LLC forms and paperwork, but if you have any questions it’s wise to contact a tax professional for help.
3. Choose a Registered Agent if Required
Most states require LLC applicants to name a registered agent — someone who agrees to accept legal paperwork on behalf of your business.
You can act as your own registered agent, appoint a friend or relative or hire a registered agent to act on your behalf.
4. Consider Preparing an Operating Agreement
Though not required in every state, it may be worth it to draw up an operating agreement anyway.
“An operating agreement will help you guard your limited liability status, head off financial and management misunderstandings, and make sure your business is governed by your own rules — not default rules created by your state,” explains Nolo’s Beth Laurence.
5. Pay the Fee
The final step toward becoming an LLC is to pay the filing fee required by your state.
Fees vary by state; they’re generally around $100 but can run as high as $800 in fees and annual taxes.
Whether or not to form an LLC is a personal decision that depends on a number of factors unique to each business. It’s worth considering, though, for its added protection and peace of mind.
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Legit Work-From-Home Jobs to Try
Here are five suggestions for legitimate work-from-home jobs to try instead of the ones CBS recommends you avoid:
1. Instead of Stuffing Envelopes, Try Earning Passive Income
Companies often advertise earnings of up to $1,200 per week for envelope stuffing, CBS reports — a number worthy of enduring the tedious task.
But hopefuls are asked to pay an upfront fee, and often discover afterwards that there are few envelopes to stuff — so they won’t actually make any money.
Skip the papercuts and set up a passive income stream online. The money won’t be immediate and it’ll take some effort, but truck driver Matthew Allen of Dumb Passive Income makes thousands of dollars a month — and he hasn’t even quit his day job.
If you took it full time, you could do even better.
2. Instead of Assembly Work, Try Crafting or Freelance Writing
Don’t fall for this one: after being asked to pay the price of parts, the creations you assemble might still be rejected as substandard.
If you’re creative, try making your own original handmade items and selling them on Etsy. This mom’s project took off and now makes her $70,000 per month.
If you have a way with words, try your hand at freelance writing. Lots of blogs pay for submissions— including The Penny Hoarder!
3. Instead of Processing Rebates, Try Being a Call Center Representative
Did you know you could be an AppleCare representative from your couch?
In the digital age, there’s no need to crowd telephone-based workers into costly offices, so lots of companies are moving toward hiring remote customer service reps.
And assisting with a variety of individual problems is bound to be more interesting than processing rebates, even if 70% of your job is asking callers, “Did you try a reboot?”
You’ll receive technical training, but some experience in technology troubleshooting would probably be helpful.
4. Instead of Medical Billing, Try Transcription
If you’re willing to codify treatments and add up medical bills, would you listen to a TV show or phone call on repeat and type what you hear?
You could make up to $25 per hour, and no less than an hourly $15 — a far cry from paying $6,000 for absolutely nothing in return.
If you’re familiar with medical terminology, you’ll be the perfect medical transcriptionist — a subcategory of the job on the higher end of the pay scale.
5. Instead of Multi-level Marketing, Try Udemy
It’s a real bummer to get an unexpected, excited phone call from a friend — only to discover she’s just trying to get you to sit in on her Arbonne webinar.
Selling Avon or Beachbody products might work for some, but it can distance you from the friends and family you need to recruit to make substantial earnings. And if you’re unsuccessful in your efforts at recruitment and sales, you’ll be stuck with a bunch of makeup or vitamins — and none of your investment cash.
If you like working with people and want to improve their lives, teach one of your skills to others on Udemy. You’ll be selling people a viable skill instead of lip gloss — and there’s no fee to get started.
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A Place for Mom, the largest senior-living referral service in the U.S., is looking for an onboarding coordinator and a customer service coordinator. Both jobs require communicating over the phone and through email with A Place for Mom customers and partners.
These jobs with A Place for Mom are totally remote, so you have the freedom to work from the comfort of your home office (or couch).
But if these jobs aren’t calling your name, no worries. Check out our Jobs page on Facebook, where we’re always posting new work-from-home opportunities!
Onboarding Coordinator at A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom is looking for a work-from-home onboarding coordinator. In this position, you would be working with senior living communities that are new partners.
Pay: Hourly, not specified
Responsibilities include:
- Developing relationships with new partners
- Assisting new partners to ensure they have a proper onboarding experience
- Scheduling meetings with new partners to establish expectations
- Organizing and delivering orientation webinars to educate on best practices
- Following up with new partners regularly
- Preparing weekly reports for the senior manager and partner development teams
- Two to three years of experience in customer service
- Ability to properly communicate with executives via phone or email
- Excellent organization skills
- An enthusiasm for building and maintaining relationships
- The ability to prioritize responsibilities while meeting work expectations
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- A bachelor’s degree
- Previous experience with A Place for Mom or another senior living service
Customer Experience Coordinator at A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom is also looking for a work-from-home customer experience coordinator.
You would be in charge of answering questions and concerns from partner senior living communities and affiliate brands.
Pay: Hourly, not specifiedResponsibilities include:
- Answering calls and emails from communities
- Verifying accuracy of data used by the Senior Living Advisors team
- Contacting communities that submitted cancellation notices
- Taking part in team meetings/calls
- Handling any concerns from partners
- An enthusiasm for customer care and building relationships
- Ability to use customer relationship management software and tools
- The focus to work independently while meeting deadlines
- Microsoft and Google Suites skills
- A designated work-from-home office space that is free from distractions
- The ability to work a 40-hour week
- A bachelor’s degree
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Online Tutor Jobs at Brainfuse
Pay: $10 to $15 per hour
Schedule: Flexible, choose your own hours
Applicants for this position must have:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Proof of education level
- Their own computer
- A stable internet connection
- Science: Biology, microbiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, astronomy
- Social Sciences: Geology, geography, sociology, psychology, earth science
- Math: Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus (I-III), statistics, Mathematics of Games, introductory game theory, combinatorics and probability
- Social Studies: History (world and American), government
- Business: Accounting, government accounting, finance, economics
- Computer Science: Java, JavaScript, cloud computing, PHP/MySQL, PERL/CGI, Advanced Visual Basic, C++, HTML, information technology, A+, Security+, CCNA, CCNA Security, Linux+, Windows scripting
- Medical: Dental hygiene, pharmacology, pharmacy studies, nursing
- Language: French, Spanish, Italian
- Music: Music theory, music appreciation
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Online News Site Will Pay You to Summarize the Day’s News
Newser, a news curation website, is hiring a full-time editor with a knack for writing news round ups covering everything from President Donald Trump to weird crimes to — currently on the front page — an obituary for the wildly famous feline Keyboard Cat.
The full-time position includes four shifts during a 32-hour work week during which you’d be responsible for churning out 250-word stories.
One word of warning: The application requires you to turn in two of your own 250-word summaries of a couple news articles, so there is some time investment to the hiring process.
If writing about current affairs gives you anxiety (like it probably does for so, so many of us), don’t forget to check out our Jobs page on Facebook. We post new opportunities there all the time.
Full-Time Editor at Newser
Responsibilities include:
- Writing and editing 250-word news summaries
- Experience in writing and editing
- The ability to work 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
- An ear for punchy and precise writing
- 401(k)
- Dental and health
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Here’s Exactly How to Become a VIPKID Teacher
At its core, VIPKID is an a la carte, online educational service for teaching English to Chinese students.
Every day, thousands of teachers open up half-hour teaching blocks (lessons are 25 minutes long), then VIPKID users log in and choose the teacher and timeframe they prefer. (We’ll have more on how to make the most of this system below.)
VIPKID provides teachers slides and a lesson plan for each teaching block.
Because Beijing is 12 or 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time (depending on daylight saving time), you’re best to do the lessons early in the morning. But weekends offer more flexibility, because the Chinese students aren’t in school.
VIPKID teachers earn a base rate of $7 to $9 per block they teach. But you can also earn a $1 incentive for each block if you teach 45 classes a month and another $1 if you finish the classes on time.
Ross, who just got a raise, makes the maximum amount per block: $11, or $22 an hour.
VIPKID requires a bachelor’s degree, one year of teaching experience, high-speed internet and the ability to pass a background check. But you don’t need to know Chinese.
After applying, you’ll go through some mock lessons. You’ll find plenty of information on how to breeze through those tests here.
It took Ross two weeks to get through the process, but she said she thinks she could have done it faster if she hadn’t been working full time.
8 Tips to Get the Most out of VIPKID
Here are 10 tips and tricks Ross shared for aspiring VIPKID teachers to make the most out of the tutoring service:
1. Find a VIPKID Veteran for Advice
At first, running a gauntlet of back-to-back 25-minute teaching blocks can seem overwhelming. Having a friend, family member or former colleague who is teaching through VIPKID to guide you will help immensely, Ross says.
“Find someone who knows what they’re doing,” she suggests.
There are also plenty of helpful videos on YouTube.
2. Find an Original Angle for Your Teaching Style
You’ll be competing with thousands of other remote teachers for the attention of Chinese parents, so having an original bio and teaching style will keep regulars coming back.
Ross uses her guitar and sometimes plays along with students who break out their own instruments during a lesson. Here’s an example of a VIPKID-sanctioned musical number:
To see New Zealand is my wish
I want to eat some yams and fish
That definitely slaps with an electric guitar under it.
Ross also uses puppets during lessons, because the really young student might not even understand the concept of a conversation. She can summon a funny voice and use her puppets to help set the stage for the lesson of the day.
Jennifer Ross says that before communication is fluent, fun objects often bridge the gap. Carmen Mandato/ The Penny Hoarder
3. Stick With Mornings or Evenings — Not Both
As mentioned earlier, you have more flexibility working on the weekends. But Ross suggests picking either mornings or evenings to avoid burnout.
“Unless you don’t like sleep,” she says.
4. Be Prepared
You’ll get summaries of the lessons before you actually have to start teaching — so learn them!
Ross has been doing this long enough that she knows most of the lesson plans, but being unprepared can turn a 25-minute lesson into a stressful teaching experience.
5. Learn How to Pace Yourself
It’s a big learning curve trying to figure out how to limit — or stretch — a lesson to 25 minutes.
But Ross suggests not sticking to the allotted one-minute-per-slide rule and moving forward if your student finishes a slide early. That way, you’ll have time to linger on slides they’re struggling with. If you have some time left over at the end of the lesson, go back over some of the material you covered.
6. Pick the Amount of Work That’s Right for You
Ross tries to fit in 24 hours of VIPKID a week, working in a few hours each morning or evening, depending on daylight saving time. This offers several benefits: She’s guaranteed the $1 incentive and makes more than $500 a week.
But even if you only teach a few hours per week, the income can put a dent in your cable, utility or cell phone bill at the end of the month.
7. Recruit Qualified Friends
Ross has only recruited five or six of her fellow teachers, but this is another way to make extra cash with VIPKID.
You can make $100 for referrals. A referral is considered successful once they teach their first class. Plus, you can serve as their mentor and help them get through their first few weeks on the job.
8. Get Ahead of Your Taxes
As an independent contractor, you’ll receive a 1099 form from VIPKID to file your taxes — which, regardless of this being a side gig, you do have to do.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to doing your taxes as an independent contractor. But Ross says it’s really not as scary as you might think.
VIPKID Can Be a Real Life Changer
Jennifer Ross's home office allows her optimum flexibility for being a VIPKID tutor. Carmen Mandato/ The Penny Hoarder
Since she started working from home (and way fewer hours than the 80 per week she previously taught), Ross says she’s completely changed her lifestyle.
“I eat healthier and I exercise more,” she says. “There are so many things that go along with the whole package here.”
Later this month, she’ll take a vacation to Asheville, North Carolina. She’ll pack for the cooler weather and bring headphones and her computer.
And, of course, a few puppets, in case she wants to pick up a few VIPKID teaching blocks.
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Teach ESL Online: What’s QKids?
Formerly called Funbulous, QKids is an online-learning platform that’s been around since 2015. It’s focused on teaching English as a second language to students between ages 5 and 12.
And QKids needs more teachers.
How to Qualify
QKids’ virtual teachers have a variety of professional backgrounds. So no, you don’t have to already be a teacher.
Here are the basic qualifications:
- You must be a native English speaker based in the U.S. or Canada.
- You should have a bachelor’s degree — or be currently enrolled in a university program.
- You need to be available to teach a minimum of six hours a week. That’s 12 half-hour classes.
- You must consider yourself digitally literate, have an outgoing personality and show passion in the classroom.
- Prior teaching experience is preferred, but not required.
Brumbaugh outlined the steps she took to sign up as a QKids teacher.
Here’s how it worked:
- She filled out a five-minute online application. Details included her education and work availability, as well as a copy of her résumé (though that wasn’t required). This also included linking to a YouTube video demo and uploading a screenshot of your computer specifications.
- Within two days, she heard back via email with everything she needed to download and know before participating in a demo class. Pro tip from Brumbaugh: Take your time walking through the training. If you do, you’ll be plenty prepared for the demo class.
- She participated in the demo class.
- Because her demo class went well, she taught two more demo classes — this time with actual students. After each class, a mentor gave her feedback. Also note: You get paid for this training.
- Upon passing both classes, she received a welcome email. Then she specified when she wanted to work. (She’s required to teach 10 half-hour lessons a week but no more than 36.)
“They were always happy to answer any questions I had and made me feel like a valued team member, not just another candidate,” she says.
Brumbaugh’s Experience Teaching ESL Online Through QKids
As a QKids teacher, Brumbaugh teaches 36 half-hour sessions a week.
She opts for early-morning classes, starting at 6:40 a.m. her time in Fort Worth, Texas, and late-night classes, until 11:50 p.m.
It’s important to keep in mind you’re often teaching kids across the world, so you should be willing to maintain flexible hours. Still, you get to choose your shifts.
In each session, Brumbaugh works through her computer screen with a group of kids. In a recent lesson, she had a class of five students who ranged from 6 to 11 years old.
She’s not left entirely on her own to teach the classes. QKids sets up the curriculum for each class beforehand, so you won’t be doing any lesson planning.
“The curriculum is set for you before class, and your job is to simply guide the children through the lesson, offering guidance, smiles and tons of encouragement,” she says.
Brumbaugh says the software QKids provided is easy to use. Even better, it has cute animations and games that help keep the kids engaged.
Plus, because QKids teachers guide a group of kids, the students often help each other out, showing each other the correct answers, much like in a classroom.
“This is one of the main reasons I went with QKids,” Brumbaugh says. She had researched a number of places to teach ESL online. “Having an actual [virtual] classroom creates a more productive learning session and such positive energy that is hard to create on your own.”
QKids teachers get paid at the end of each month. Depending on your teacher rating (you’re rated by parents and students), you earn between $16 and $20 an hour.
Thus far, Brumbaugh says she has had nothing but a positive experience through QKids.
“The students are hard-working, curious and light up the classroom with their smiles,” she says. “Class time actually goes by fast, and the only con I can see is sometimes I wish I had more time to spend with them!”
To apply to become an ESL teacher through QKids, start by filling out the five-minute online application.
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5 Companies That Hire Remote Workers
How Much Could You Get Paid?
Although these positions generally don’t pay high wages, many do provide a regular paycheck and health insurance, among other benefits.
For example, Convergys work-from-home jobs come with “a full benefit package with medical, dental and vision coverage.” The company offers a 401(k) plan, and reimburses employees for college tuition.
As a Convergys agent, you take customer calls and provide other services for large corporations. The company has clients in industries like automotive, communications and media, financial services and many more.
5 Companies That Often Offer Work-From-Home Customer Service Jobs
If you’re having trouble getting started on your work-from-home job search, these five companies often hire work-from-home employees.
Just keep an eye on them.
If you want a particular type of work, ask about what you’ll be doing before accepting the job.
1. SYKES Home
Sykes hires agents to work from home throughout the United States and Canada. The company encourages you to “join the team of 6,000 agents across North America who accept inbound calls routed virtually to their homes.” Apply to work for the company here.
Pay: Glassdoor shows wages ranging from $9.09 to $10.41 per hour. For U.S. employees, Sykes offers health care and 401(k) contributions.
2. TeleTech
Although TeleTech offers many customer service jobs at call centers across the U.S., the company also hires at-home workers. Just look for the listings with “work from home” or “Remote” under “Location.”
Pay: Indeed shows wages varying by position, with a range from $9.05 to $12.84 per hour. Glassdoorlists health and dental plans and a 401(k) as some of TeleTech’s benefits.
3. VIPdesk Connect
Like many of these companies, VIPdesk Connect provides “outsourced customer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Pay: Glassdoor shows pay of about $10 per hour, and the company says it provides paid vacation days; performance incentives; and (for full-time workers) medical, dental and vision insurance.
4. iQor
You’ll find this statement on the iQor website: “You’ve got energy, enthusiasm, drive and determination. We’ve got benefits, flexible schedules, and a career path that rewards performance with growth and opportunity.” Is that you?
Pay: Glassdoor says the average wage is about $10 an hour. Benefits listed on Glassdoor include performance bonuses, paid time off and health and dental insurance.
5. Convergys
Convergys is consistently hiring work-from-home customer service representatives. If it’s not now, just keep an eye on its listings.
Pay: What you’ll get paid depends largely on your location, but Glassdoor reports salaries in the $10 range.
Other Work-From-Home Jobs
Because you’d work for a company that contracts services to a variety of clients, the work you do could change as clients fluctuate.
You might spend months explaining to customers how to set up smart TVs, and then become a complaint handler when your employer gets a new client. You could even end up as a debt collector.
But if customer service just isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other work-from-home opportunities out there.
Work-From-Home Job Sites
Take a look at these job-search sites and do your own personalized searches. Also, keep an eye on The Penny Hoarder’s Facebook jobs page. There, you’ll see the most up-to-date listings we’ve found.
You should also check out work-from-home jobs on ZipRecruiter, the country’s fastest-growing online job site. You can find work-from-home jobs based on your location.
Work for Yourself
You could also consider working for yourself and striking up your own work-from-home business. That’s even better because oftentimes you can pick and choose your own schedule.
And no, starting a business isn’t easy. But there are a ton of online courses out there to get you started.
Here are a few that are tailored to different trades:
- Transcribe Anywhere offers a free introductory mini-course so you can see if this is the best route for you. We spoke to a mom who works part time and banks about $2,000 a month as a transcriptionist.
- Proofread Anywhere offers a free 45-minute introductory course. One mom tried this out because she desperately needed a flexible schedule, and now she makes up to $1,200 a month picking and choosing when she works — from home.
