Issue 35.09
See if any of these sound familiar. “Simplistic typing job will allow you to remain home.” “Legitimate work at home job, no experience needed “ “Make Money Taking Surveys Online” “Become Certified in Medical Billing and Coding.” “Looking for a Fling?” (oops, how did that last one get in here?) These and many others like them are titles of emails and pop-ups or other ads I have seen on the internet just this morning.
Having been in the radio, internet and newspaper businesses, I have a slightly jaundiced view of most advertising, especially unsolicited advertising. There are only three reasons to advertise. You are either 1) trying to create a desire or perceived need for an unnecessary product or service, 2) Trying to get people to give you money (usually by preying on their needs or greed), or 3) informing people about a product, service or short-term special deal that they don’t already know about. The third one is the only one that I personally feel is worthwhile and in integrity. Most ads you see in the email box are of the second type and they are generally going to give you as little as possible in return.
Here are two I personally investigated. “Make money taking surveys online” sounded interesting. If it was legitimate, my single-mom daughter could do that and stay at home, spending more time with her children. What I found was a group of connected companies that want me to pay them for training so that I can be successful taking surveys or doing other on-line chores. They guarantee my “tuition” fee back (but not the materials or exorbitant shipping and handling costs) if I don’t “break even” in one year. Not much of a guarantee.
My daughter did sign up for the “Medical transcriptionist” course at a fairly steep price. She worked hard, but as she got closer to “certifying”, the lessons they sent her were harder and harder. The voices of the “doctors” that she was transcribing became mostly unintelligible. She got very frustrated and quit. She felt that they were trying to stop her from getting the certification. We found when she got her courage up to ask if she could continue, that she would have to start over completely and pay the full tuition again. Not a good experience.
I have talked with one woman who completed a similar course and works in the field. I would be happy to hear from any of you who have had success with on-line money makers and I will report them here. In the mean time, my rule of thumb is “If you didn’t ask for it, it probably is something you don’t want.” Add the fact that many of these companies are also just trying to collect information about you, your address, banking info, etc. they can use or sell to others. It can also be a way to introduce a virus into your computer.
So, as always, stay safe and happy computing.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 27 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.