How You Shouldn’t Try to Make Money
Avery
Avery
Avery enjoys playing lacrosse and spending time with friends in the Washington, DC metro area
If you’re a teenager without a steady job, you’re probably always on the lookout for new ways to make money. However, when you’re eager to earn cash, you may be more vulnerable to internet scams. As a rule of thumb, if an opportunity seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Here are three examples of these too-good-to-be-true scams that you’ll want to avoid when trying to earn money.
1. Pyramid Schemes
A pyramid scheme is an unstable business model in which employees recruit new members and charge them upfront costs to join the business. These upfront costs are then funneled up to higher-level employees who often profit more on recruitment than the sale of goods. If you’re ever asked to pay money to be hired, you should stop engaging with the company.
2. Acting and modeling scams
For anyone who dreams of being a performer, the idea of getting an acting or modeling agent is very enticing. However, many online advertisements for open auditions for agents turn out to be scams. Similar to a pyramid scheme, if a company asks you to pay for an audition, it is probably an opportunity that is too good to be true.
3. Anything that asks for personal information
There are tons of internet scams promising to give you a great lucrative job if you are willing to provide them with your personal information. Don’t be fooled by these scams! Asking for your credit card number or your social security number before hiring you is a huge red flag! Giving this information to strangers could lead to identity theft and credit card fraud. Some of these ploys may also have incredibly dangerous ties to human trafficking. As a result, you should be incredibly cautious and consult a parent or trusted adult before signing up for anything that may feel too good to be true.
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