Unfortunately, working two or more jobs has become a reality for many Americans. The latest work-from-home survey by economists, including Nicholas Bloom from Stanford University, found approximately 10% of workers have a primary job and at least one additional side gig.
As a step down from their primary work, which may be more time-consuming and exhausting, people are often looking for possibilities to earn money that require less skill and can be completed with greater ease. Envelope stuffing jobs fit the bill. At least going by its name and how it is often advertised. But are envelope-stuffing jobs legit? Let’s see.
What Is Envelope Stuffing?
Envelope stuffing is a job where an individual earns money working from home to stuff envelopes with promotional material, flyers, or letters and sends them out to a list of recipients.
The process typically involves:
- Inserting the promotional material into the envelope
- Sealing it
- Affixing postage stamps or mailing labels
- Placing the envelopes in a mailbox or taking the mail to the local post office
Many scams promise easy money by offering to pay people to stuff envelopes from home. These scams usually require people to pay a fee upfront to receive the materials necessary to start the job. The promised payment was either minimal or never paid at all. Some websites also advertise that you can make money by referring friends or anyone looking for envelope-stuffing jobs to the site.
The Federal Trade Commission states advertisements for work-at-home envelope-stuffing jobs frequently withhold crucial information. The majority of ads under the guise of “home mailers wanted” are, in fact, requests for fake business opportunities and pyramid schemes disguised as job postings. In numerous instances, the intention is to deceive individuals into sharing their credit card details or purchasing a useless home mailing kit.
With the growth of online communication, these scams may have become less prevalent. However, it’s still important to exercise caution when contemplating any job opportunity that calls for an upfront payment or guarantees quick money.