Avoid Fraudulent Side Hustles with These Tips

Trying to get extra income is something that many people today are doing. Luckily, with the internet, there are a lot of new opportunities to make money on the side.

While there are many legitimate side hustles out there, unfortunately, there are also companies or individuals that are dishonest and will try to take advantage of you.

Here are some tips on how to avoid being scammed.

Research the Opportunity

This is the first thing that you should do to be able to determine if the company is legitimate or not. Look for reviews, feedback, and testimonials from others who also tried or have knowledge about the opportunity. Most of the time you will find this feedback on online forums such as Reddit. Most of the time scams have negative reviews or warnings from people.

Legitimate businesses will always provide verified contact information, this includes their physical address, phone number, website, and email. If the company lacks this, then it is a red flag.

Be Wary of Upfront Payments

Your goal is to make money on the side not pay something before you can get started. Legitimate side hustles rarely require upfront fees or large investments. If you are required to pay upfront, that is something for you to consider getting into.

Avoid “Get Rich Quick” Schemes

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fraudulent side hustles often make get-rich-quick promises, don’t fall for them. While there are legitimate side hustles that can make bigger money, a side hustle always require time, effort, and skill.

Seek Recommendations from Trusted People

One of the best ways to avoid scams is to ask for a recommendation from people you trust. Ask for recommendations from family or friends that already have experience with side hustles. They may be able to give you valuable insights or even a better suggestion for a side hustle.

Always trust your gut feeling, if it feels off do not do it. It is okay to be suspicious about a side hustle opportunity. Do your research and be wary of the red flags that opportunity may have. (ASC)