- Image by ToastyKen via Flickr
If a teen is beginning a business, there may not be a huge likelihood that he or she will become a victim of a scam, especially if there is an adult in the mix who is guiding the process. However, it’s never a waste of time to take a quick look at some of the many things out there that take advantage of anyone trying to start a new business.
One of the silliest, yet most successful scams for the perpetrators is envelope stuffing. It is always amazing that people still fall for this one. Even a 5 year old would probably understand that you will not be making $500 – $1,000 a week stuffing envelopes. So how is it that intelligent adults still fall for this one? The only reason that makes any sense at all is desperation. People who are desperate to make career changes in their lives will often ignore their own common sense. There is rarely, if ever, any reason for teens to be that desperate to start their own business, so they can afford to think this one through.
Processing rebates from home is another scam that seems to be growing in the number of victims that fall prey to it. You pay a “small one time fee” and you are sent the information you need to do this rebate processing job right from the comfort of your home. You are promised a very high commission on each one you successfully process. Again, this is one that never pans out. You’re out money that is now resting in the perpetrators bank account.
You may see many scam sites promising you information that will show you step by step how to become a millionaire. There will be huge homes and expensive cars on this website. You will be asked to pay some money up front for this information. The information, if you receive it at all, is something you could have found for free all on your own.
There are some helpful things to remember that will protect you from scammers. Rule number one is that if it sounds too good to be true, it IS. That is the Golden Rule of running your own business online. You’re not going to get rich over night. NOTHING works that way unless you happen to be a “trust fund baby” who collects on a certain birthday. That doesn’t really count.
Honestly, just how much fun is it when something is just handed to you? Doesn’t it feel better to work for the results you get? When you do your own research and put some dedicated work into an enterprise that proves to be successful, that is when you feel good. You have accomplished something important all on your own. Remembering this feeling will also help you avoid scams. A get rich quick scheme could never make you feel that you have met your personal goals
