Data entry may be a good remote job to explore if you have great typing abilities, a passion for precision, and the capacity to work under pressure. A career in data entry can lead you into a number of different fields.
However, finding a remote job as a data entry clerk can be challenging for several reasons.
Data entry jobs are among the most popular remote positions, making them highly competitive.
Many folks apply to these jobs because they usually don’t require very technical skills and offer flexibility.
Genuine remote data entry jobs compete with numerous scams; sometimes, it can be very challenging to differentiate between them.
We share below some tips to protect yourself from scams when searching for remote data entry clerk positions:
Research the company
Before applying to any remote job, thoroughly research the company or organization. Look for a legitimate website, contact information, and reviews on websites like Glassdoor or Indeed. Look up the name of the company or the person who’s hiring you, plus the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
Most genuine and legitimate companies have a proper careers page. If there is only an email to apply, that’s a warning.
But in some cases, the scammers use details from a real company to promote a fake job. How can you tell them apart?
- Research the company website.
- Find the careers page. Check if the job that is being promoted is also there.
- Check if the email address for this application has a very similar domain to the actual company domain but is slightly different. For example, .co instead of .com.
Sometimes, the company does not exist. They don’t have a website, or if they do, they have a very simple one with generic content and bad design.
Here are some examples:
This “company” attempted to post jobs on Remotive. When we looked at the website, there were errors, dummy and generic content, poor design, and only an email address to apply. It is clearly a scam.
This “company” also attempted to publish jobs on Remotive. An equally poor website, generic content and images, and application only via email.
Beware of overly generous promises
Scammers often entice job seekers with promises of high pay for minimal work. If the job looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Communication
Legitimate remote employers will maintain professional communication and conduct interviews via Zoom or similar video meeting software. Be cautious if a potential employer avoids direct interaction or insists on using unprofessional email addresses.
No application fees
Legitimate employers do not charge fees for job applications, background checks, or training. If a company asks for money upfront, it’s likely a scam. Never wire funds via Western Union, PayPal, MoneyGram, or other services.
Unrealistic job requirements
If the job posting lists unrealistic or overly complex requirements for a data entry role, it could be a scam.
Payment methods
Be cautious if the employer insists on payment through unusual or untraceable methods, such as cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
Report suspicious offers
If you encounter a potentially fraudulent job posting, report it to the platform or job board. This can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
Here’s more advice on how to avoid job scams. And if you are starting your remote job search, sign up for our free webinar with awesome tips.