Cyber crooks are hiding behind legitimate-looking political messages to lead you to dangerous websites. I also get into online job scams, five signs your phone might be tapped, and how to rent a pool for your summer vacation.
Looking for a remote job? Use these tips to find a high-quality gig
Remote jobs are a tantalizing prospect: You can work from the comfort of your own home, cutting out traffic, chatter from coworkers and other office distractions. Changing from a traditional job to a remote position can be challenging, especially if you’ve never worked from home. Finding legitimate work-from-home jobs can also be challenging since there are so many fake job scams.
They’re shockingly easy to fall for, too. Scammers use diabolical tricks to get your guard down and make you excited over jobs that don’t even exist. Tap or click here for 10 signs that a job posting is fake.
Luckily, there are a few red flags when hunting for remote jobs. We’ll break them all down in this handy guide. You’ll learn how to avoid work-from-home scams and know if a job is legit.
1. The sky is the limit, so don’t let locations limit you
Maybe you’re still in the traditional job-seeking headspace. You automatically look for jobs near you. Good news: When you’re working remotely, location barely matters.
For example, the Komando HQ is based in Phoenix, Arizona. One of our remote workers lives in South Africa. He keeps track of different time zones to turn his work in on time, so the team’s workflow is as smooth as butter despite the distance.
Let this be a lesson to you: Even when in doubt, apply to a remote job that appeals to you. You might think you’re too far away for your application to be considered. But if you have the skills, you deserve a chance, so don’t hold yourself back.
2. Go in with a good mindset
In other words, have high hopes but reasonable expectations. Expect scams and arm yourself with a robust cybersecurity system. Tap or click here for seven essential privacy tools to stay protected online.
Here are some safety precautions: Keep your devices protected just in case you fall for a false job. Avoid job positions that seem too good to be true since they’re probably fake. Also, don’t give away personal information until you’ve verified that the job is authentic.
Plus, remember that remote jobs are no less serious than office jobs. Although you aren’t commuting, you still need to be on your best behavior. Put just as much effort into your resume and cover letter as you would if you were applying for a traditional job. Look for companies that are well-known for hiring remote workers.
RELATED: Looking for work? Three sites to find free resume templates
Looking for a side gig? Don't trust this innocent-seeming request
There are plenty of ways to make extra money. From babysitting to delivering parcels, millions of Americans are always looking for ways to make a few extra bucks.
Unfortunately, there will always be criminals who don’t want to offer people jobs but rather steal their money. By posting fake ads or promises of employment, scammers use various tactics to line their own pockets.
Stop annoying political texts
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When you’re looking for a new job, the last thing that probably comes to mind is being ripped off. Unfortunately, with criminals always on the lookout, you have to keep your guard up no matter what you’re doing online — even job hunting.
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Plus, I give my trusted advice to a job seeker on how to spot fake job scams. Also, how to hide your location to get cheaper prices online, why you shouldn’t buy a MacBook right now, reasons to avoid crypto and clever ways to make money renting your car.