OFW Speak

Have you ever redeemed your inheritance from the Prince of Nigeria? Or have you ever claimed your prize as being the 999th visitor?

There's a lot of scams in the internet nowadays. You can't blame them, internet is an open highway, anything can happen. As long as you are careful not to fall on their traps, you are safe to go.

But I will simply outline a list on how to spot an online scammer for online workers' persepective.

There has been a lot of fake ads on job-posting sites that lure hopeful individuals to land a job or earn bucks, but unfortunately get paid by bogus scammers.

Check out these simple checklist to see if a job posting or jobh poster is legit or scam:

1. Does the ad asks you to write series of original contents without assurance of pay? As far as work trial is concerned, a candidate vying for a writing position may only write 1 original content of 500 to 600 words, with an assurance of pay if the article and its rights is kept by the proctor or hiring officer.

2. Is it about data entry with ridiculously high payout? It will only lure you to a site where you need to register, then it will lead you to a sales page and a funnel page with tons of testimonials from people who had earned with proofs(it's obviously fake). then finally, they will ask you to buy a kit, an initial investment for you to start your so-called 'data-entry' job. A job is a job, no such thing as an investment or some sort of payment. A job needs your workforce, not your money.

3. Your opinion worth $2,000+? that's ridiculous, unless you are Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, Oprah, Katty Perry or any celebrity, your opinion on filling out survey forms will never reach that amount. How are they suppose to pay you with such pay-plan? Do your math, and I'll do mine, I bet they'll be defunct after 5 people signed up.

4. Nanny or Au Pair Needed Immediately? Don't get too excited, it's another scam. They will chat you and then ask you money for you plane ticket as a sign that you are whole-heartedly willing to work with them in London, specifically. They will ask you to send money via Western Union under your name, you may get that money when you arrived. But guess what? they can actually claim the money, leaving you hopelessly devoted! Always look for agencies accredited by POEA. That's the surest and safest way.

5. Bias aside, and no racism intended but most of the people I have met say that the most scammers are from India. Again this is not a generalization, this is merely a guide line. Most of my online worker friends say they had worked for a Hindu National, and never paid them. India is a beautifula nd very big counrty, we can't generalize, I only meant to stay on the white side of the horizon and be safe. Be vigilant and cautious. There's still a lot of Hindu nationals who religiously pay their employees.

As I reiterate, this post is a mere guide line pointing my finger to the last entry I added. Entries 1 to 4 are proven 98% accurate. The last entry still needs more vigilance and caution. By all means, be vigilant, and do not risk everything up for something not worth risking for.