Info: Freelance Home Writers
I've been asked a few times about whether "Freelance Home Writers" is a scam. My forte is outright fraud and crime rather than "dodgy business", so I'd first like to emphasise that this isn't (as far as I can tell) a front for organised crime.
Having said that, I still wouldn't trust them with a penny of my money. Why's that, you ask? Well, in addition to the informed opinion of an independent party, I note that "Freelance Home Writers" employs a tactic in common use by scammers who want to avoid the ill effects of a bad reputation: the progressive registration of multiple domain names. The image attached to this post is a snapshot of one of several identical "Freelance Home Writers" websites operating under different domain names that have been registered at different times. For example, "freelancehomewriters.com" was registered on 21-Feb-2007, whereas "freelance-home-writers.com" was registered on 29-Aug-2007, and "freelancehomewriters.biz" (which was misconfigured and causing a browser error when I tested it today) was registered on 29-Jan-2008. All of the above were registered using the "WhoisGuard" anonymisation service, so we have no idea who is actually behind this service, or where they are based. Would you trust an anonymous company with no address?
Bear in mind that these guys are selling a product, not offering jobs. They want you to pay to join. Are you going to trust them with your credit card details? Will you have any recourse if their "product" turns out to be worthless? Will you even be able to navigate away from their damn home page without being blocked by pop-up ads? Can you believe their claim on their FAQ page that they have "been online for nearly 6 years now" when the earliest domain name registration is dated 2007?
So, in answer to the question, "is Freelance Home Writers legit or a scam?" my answer is, "I really can't say, but there's plenty of evidence that they can't be trusted!" When you're handing over your credit card information to someone in exchange for a promise of goods or services, trustworthiness is what counts, isn't it? "Scam or legit" frames the question the wrong way: "trustworthy or not" is, I think, a better way to look at it. As fas as I'm concerned, "Freelance Home Writers" operates in a manner that shouts, "I can't be trusted!"
12 comments:
Thank you very much for this information. I won't join them.
Ingrid
thank God you said that. i hate this stuff. why would they want your money to hire you?
I got scammed and now I'm trying to undo 6 months worth of charges to my credit card. They reel you in by only charging you $2.95. Then they have your card # and good luck getting it stopped
Thanks for this heads up. You're doing a good job. Its very tempting to see this as an opportunity but I'm shrinking into the mode of "if there isn't any traceability (a physical office location where you'd be welcomed as a valued customer) then forget it. Its obviously a crock.
Thanks for the info, it looked shady, but now I know for sure.
I'm glad that I'm skeptical by nature and look up as much as I can before jumping in to anything. These guys have this ad posted on Craig's List. I feel sorry for the poor unsuspecting folks that are just trying to make it in this crappy economy and find new jobs.
Copy Writing and seo for my webpage (Las Vegas)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2009-02-14, 9:21AM PST
Seeking writers to produce articles / blog writer to co-operate with, who can provide quality and unique content.
All work must be original and exclusively published on our sites.
Get Started
The same scammers run hundreds of dodgy billing websites - many for porn sites. Don't ever give your card details to a business you don't trust.
Thanks for the info. This confirms what I suspected.
When looking for any info on these "offers", I'd see multiple domain names for one & that was a red flag for me. But I too, have been taken by these scams, looking for an opportunity to help support my family. It makes you feel pretty stupid and ashamed. So I'm glad that by researching, I found your site. Hopefully, others will before they fall prey.
As much as one would hope for just one honest opportunity....
One question: How do we stop these scammers?
Kathy
It is a scam!!!
I have been charged 47 USD for months now and still cannot cancel the subscription.
Dont join!!!
M.J.
Holy Crap! Thank you for this post. I just replied to a freelance ad on craigslist, and an e-mail directed me to their site. How disgusting for these people to prey on the desperation of freelance writers.
I had filled out all the card details and even hovered on the 'submit' button before I thought "Let's see what this is all about!". I'm glad I took your advice.
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