Beware Of Side Hustles Turning Into Scams In West Michigan

In today’s economy, it feels like just about everyone is looking for a side hustle.

From dog walking to selling crafts online, people in West Michigan have been finding creative ways to pay their bills for years. Where there are people looking to make some quick cash, there are always people who are looking to take advantage of them.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Michigan is warning that side hustle scams are already making their way through the state.

One of the biggest? The “reshipping scam.” It starts when someone applies for what looks like a legitimate job, sometimes called a “shopping coordinator” or “warehouse redistribution coordinator.”

How does the reshipping scam work?

Scammers are using stolen credit cards to send products to your home, then they asking you to unknowingly re-ship them to another address.

By the time you realize what’s happening, you’ve unknowingly been roped into helping a criminal operation.

Other scams that are popping up in the area are just as sneaky. Some fake jobs ask you to pay for training, while others “hire” you, then send a check for supplies (only for it to bounce after you’ve sent money back.)

And while the idea of easy cash for simple jobs like car wrapping or mystery shopping sounds appealing, the BBB warns that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

So how do you protect yourself while still chasing that extra income? Experts say it comes down to doing your homework.

Research the company behind any posting, make sure communication stays on legitimate platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, and never, ever pay to work. If they want you for the job and it’s skill related, they’ll be happy to train you for free in many circumstances.

One more thing to watch out for according to the BBB: If someone avoids answering your questions, won’t meet over video chat, or insists on taking conversations off a secure site, that’s a red flag. Move on and consider it a scam.

At the end of the day, side hustles should bring you peace of mind and financial relief, not stress and scams. Before jumping into that next “opportunity,” take a breath, do some research, and make sure it’s the real deal.