Many retirees seek part-time work to keep busy, earn extra income, or for a variety of personal reasons, but there’s one troubling aspect that people definitely need to keep in mind, says prominent Senior Advocate Phil Cannella: scams. Although it has been found that part-time work can help keep retirees mentally sharp and provide more overall fulfillment in their lives, “work-at-home” job opportunities in particular too often turn out to be scams. This is one key reason why Phil Cannella invited FBI Special Agent and Philadelphia Cyber Crime Squad Supervisor Brian Herrick to join him on “The Crash Proof Retirement Show”™ in 2011. Among other things, Cannella and Herrick discussed the cyber-crimes and -scams that have come along with the internet-age.
The website www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com, established by the FBI and recommended by Herrick, contains vital information on how 
to detect many different cyber-crimes, including job scams.
In theory, a work-from-home job would appeal to many retirees because it allows them to pick their own hours while working from the comfort and safety of home. “Whether the offer comes by phone or email, appears in a flyer or newspaper ad, or arrives in the mail, thousands of people respond to these ads,” explains an article on LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com. “But not all work-at-home opportunities deliver on their promises.”
Phil Cannella warns retirees that not only do some of these scams drain them of time and energy, but they have the potential to empty a retiree’s bank account of thousands of dollars in savings.
Be especially wary of supposed job opportunities where the potential employee must invest money into the company at the outset.
Depending on the industry and the specific type of employment, this “up-front” charge may be justified for “training purposes,” but you should examine the situation very carefully before dipping into your account. By all means investigate the company through the Better Business Bureau or your local attorney general’s office, and even consider asking to be put in touch with other retirees who currently work from home for the company in question.
Additionally, senior contributing writer John Rossheim of Monster.com offers the skeptic some important questions to ask that any legitimate employer should be able to answer:
* What tasks will I have to perform?
* Will I be paid a salary, or will my pay be based on commission?
* Who is responsible for rating the quality of my work?
* Who will pay me, and how often?
* When will I get my first paycheck?
Phil Cannella urges you not to be afraid to speak up and ask these basic questions if you’re considering a work-at-home opportunity.
The best weapon in this war is education. Again, for more information on job scams and other examples of cyber-crime, visit www.LooksToGoodToBeTrue.com to become fully educated on how to protect yourself and your money in today’s internet age.
FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM PHIL CANNELLA, TUNE IN TO THE CPR SHOW, EVERY SATURDAY 11AM-1PM. LISTEN LIVE
