Having a side gig can afford you a great added value to your primary income. It might become your ticket to indulging in the luxuries you adore but can’t necessarily cover with your regular income alone. Side gigs could indeed be your pathway to the long-awaited holiday, purchasing the apparel you’ve always coveted or just comfortably meet essential needs such as rent, groceries, or transportation costs.
There’s a broad spectrum of side-job options out there, yet, sadly, not all are as promising as they advertise. You may encounter job offers that promise a rapid money-making process, yet, as the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
So, how to separate the wheat from the chaff? Here are 8 common side gig scams to keep away from.
1. DIRECT SALES: Numerous companies promote direct sales roles, touting flexible times and high profitability. However, not all content their promise, and you should know better to identify dubious offers. Many of these jobs may require you to purchase products upfront, leading you to spend more and earn getting nothing in return.
2. FREELANCE ENGAGEMENTS: While freelancing in areas like writing, designing, programming, etc. can be lucrative, beware of fraudulent engagements. Always ensure you have a detailed job description and a verified payment method before accepting a gig.
3. DATA ENTRY: Some data entry gigs might be genuine, yet others could simply be a ploy to siphon off your money. Often, scam companies ask you to pay a fee to access job details, only to leave you in the lurch.
4. MYSTERY SHOPPING: A job that pays you to shop sounds delightful, right? Be aware, though. Some might ask you to pay certification or registration fees beforehand, only to never provide you with the job.
5. MEDICAL BILLING: Most work-from-home medical billing jobs can be dubious. They might ask you for a fee in exchange for training materials and leads, and then never deliver.
6. TYPING JOBS: Typing jobs can sound easy and profitable, but some of them might ask for a start-up fee and provide you with futile leads.
7. SURVEYS: Filling out surveys is often a time-consuming task that pays very little money. It can waste a lot of your time that could be utilized in more productive ways.
8. DRIVER POSITIONS: Be cautious of personal driver job ads, particularly the ones that ask you to deposit a check and send back a portion of the funds. This could end up being an expensive scam.
The world is rich with legitimate and enjoyable ways to earn some extra cash on the side, but be sure to do your due diligence to steer clear of scams. If the opportunity doesn’t sit right with your instincts, then it’s probably a scam. Conduct thorough research to ensure that you’re engaging with legitimate operations.
What are some genuine side gigs you’ve had? Have you ever fallen for any side hustle scams?
