Thanks for sharing your experience with MTurk and your tips. I’m sure it will help folks! But you may want to post it on the Mturks article:
http://www.workathomenoscams.com/2008/07/29/work-at-home-with-amazoncom/ so that when folks are reading about that opportunity, they’ll have your tips right there.

At the end of the day Mturks is just like the major job sites where you always need to be on your toes for fake jobs that sound too good to be true.

It’s a matter of applying the common sense we all use offline. But this needs to be applied more vigilantly online. Most of the times your instincts kick in when something doesn’t sound right. If you follow that then you can avoid any scam no matter how well it tries to disguise itself. That being said I’m surprised that Amazon doesn’t have a better way to report some of these shady companies offering bad hits.

First, love the site! I’ve shared it with many friends and family members. My favorites are MTurk and Opinion Outpost. Unlike most sites, Opinion Outpost only has a minimum cash out of 5.00, so you don’t feel like it’s taking forever to work your rewards up! I’ve made 250.00 on MTurk so far, just doing it on the side when I have time.

I wanted to alert you of a few scams WITHIN MTurk. First of all, there are several HITs that ask you to go to one site, fill out a form, and then continue to http://www.whatismyip.com. I’m not sure if everyone is as skeptical about giving out their IP as I am, but I avoid them. Also, as with most things in life, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. There are 4 and 5 dollar hits that once you accept them and do them, they won’t let you submit. The posters rig it to where you are unable to Submit after you have done the task. You do it thinking you’ll get paid top dollar for not much work, but then are unable to Submit for payment.

@Cayla L:
One more I forgot!

There are some HITs that pay well and seem simple. They ask you to simply “download a picture and tell what is in it”. Sometimes it will ask you to name the fruit, or copy the number. It takes you to an external site, and you are asked to download a weird file. I haven’t actually downloaded the external file, but my computer pulls it up as red.

Just remember with MTurk. Most HITs don’t pay well. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is! No one is going to pay you .50 cents to tell you what fruit is in 1 picture.

Overall, I LOVE MTurk and highly recommend it to people with some time on their hands. I made 25.00 just TODAY because I ran across some fairly simple, but well paying, HITs.

Thanks again for all your hard work.

Cayla

Note: Want’s your thought about using webs dot com to do all the work? Just something that I’ve been thinking about lately.

By the way I totally understand your sentiments about Texas. I feel the same way about the Bronx where I spent most of my life and Brooklyn where I spent my early years. It’s amazing how a location can have such an impact on your life. So I can totally relate.

Bev,
It’s great that you learned so much from the site. Sounds like you’re well on your way to making 2010 a wonderful year! Take care and have a wonderful 2010 and many more years after that!

Again, Thanks and best wishes for a Prosperous New Year!

Bev

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful upcoming year of 2010.

Thanks again for all that you do to help us.

P.S. – Yes, even though I live in Kansas now, Texas does do it up big and I am proud to say I lived in the Great State of Texas for almost 20 years. You can take the man out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the man. Texas Proud

Sorry to hear that you fell for a few of the forced continuity scams. But you’re right the scam artist know exactly what they’re doing and that’s basically betting on the fact that we won’t read or do our research.

In any event, thanks for your positive insight and thoughts. I totally agree with everything you said especially asking questions and viewing every day as a fresh start. Sounds like you have the perfect mindset for the year to come. As long as you put some action to it as you’ve already suggested, than 2010 will be your best year
in all areas of your life. Take care and thanks again!

Callie,
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I try to ignore such unfounded nonsense or negativity now. I should post some of the emails and other comments I get from people that want to blame me for their misery. It’s amazing the things people will say online but would never say to your face if they met you in public. But it’s not that important. Now I just focus on the people that want help and are actually willing to read, take action and help themselves. I’ve quickly realized that’s the only type of people I can help. I’ll just pray for the rest. So thanks for always supporting a brother and being my biggest cheerleader!

Phil,
What up man!!! Dude I’ve been so awful with my holiday shout outs this year. So my bad and no need for an apology on your end. lol I know how busy you’ve been and it’s a good thing considering the tough year you had.

My wife and I are so just not in the Holiday spirit this year. I feel like we’re in a holding pattern. Our minds are consumed with trying to raise up out of our current place and finding a bigger home so my princess has a bigger space to play.

In any event, no need for the thanks brother. You’re a good guy and just needed someone to vent with sometimes. And I was happy to be that for you. Ultimately it was you that made the moves and ended 09 in a good way. So applaud you. I KNOW 2010 is going to be a great year for you. We definitely need to try to meet up in 2011. I’ve never been to the great state of Texas but I hear you guys do it big there. lol So we’ll have to figure something out. So like your state make sure 2010 is a big year for you!

Anyways, happy belated Christmas Big “E”. Yes, 2010 is going to be a fantastic year! You were one of the few that I shared with this year… thanks for seeing me through and being a friend. Let’s jump ahead to 2011 where we all meet up in Dallas for some meet and greets and a few drinks.

Oh and,a very good article once again.

Phil

I completely agree with the very inspirational closing. The article was actually the last thing I read before turning in very “wee hourish” this morning. Needless to say I slept very well. Wow, 2010 … will be my best year yet!

Eddy,

Dang, what’s up with the WOT rater-haters. Well, let ‘em say what they want. Truth of the matter is both of your invaluable sites speak loudly for themselves, and not to mention the voices of all your loyal subscribers, visitors, followers, etc who firmly stand supportive in your corner. Keep up the GREAT work that you do!

Johnney,

Yes, I’m in total agreement that Eddy is deserving of a Best In Show today. Cheers Eddy … We applaud & appreciate YOU!!