If you have been a VA for any length of time, chances are you have run across some ad online from a company claiming to need VA or VA-type services. After clicking the link to go to their website, you find that you can apply- for a fee.
For a company that supposedly needs help, I find it strange that they would charge qualified applicants to apply, rather than welcome them with open arms. The truth about most of these scenarios is that they are scams. Oftentimes, there are no projects to begin with- it is just a way for them to make easy money. It boggles my mind that some people will prey on honest people who are in need of work. How do they sleep at night?!
Even if there were legitimate projects that these companies needed VAs for, it is still outrageously unethical to charge an application fee. Their sites will relate a convincing story for unsuspecting victims that this fee of $29.95 (or whatever it may be) helps cover the costs of processing your application. Considering most of these are scams, I find it hard to believe that it costs them ANY money at all to delete your application. For crying out loud! The US government doesn't even do that- and look at how many applications THEY have to sort through!
For all you newer VAs out there, just remember that you never had to pay for employment before, and that shouldn't change just because you are working virtually. The person rendering the service is the one who gets paid.
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2 comments:
Great words of wisdom! In the early years of becoming a VA, I came across several sites like you mentioned. I think it would be a good idea to put a list together for VA's to write a review on.
What are your thoughts?
Great idea!
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