At first thought, it sounds great right? Make money stuffing envelopes while sat at home in front of the TV? Yes please. Where do I sign up?!
But can you really earn money from home packing envelopes?
The short answer to this is pretty much a resounding NO.
Unfortunately, despite the prevalence of online adverts that say you can get paid for stuffing envelopes, you’re unlikely to ever make any money like this. In fact, you’re more likely to lose money.
That’s because envelope stuffing jobs are almost always scams.
This hasn’t always been the case, which probably explains why people looking to make money from home often think of trying it: packing leaflets or stuffing envelopes used to be a legit way for people to earn a little extra cash – I stuffed leaflets as a teenager myself!
However, if you think about it, these are tasks that are now much more easily and cheaply filled by automated machinery – big companies don’t need to employ extra people to sit at home filling envelopes for them.
They might employ a mailing company to deal with this for them, but these usually use high speed machinery that can deal with huge volumes. Individuals at home stuffing and sticking one envelope at a time could never compete.
Unfortunately nowadays if you see an advert suggesting you can earn money simply by packing envelopes at home (and a quick google search will throw up a good few!) it’s likely just a scam designed to lure you in with the promise of easy money. In fact, it’s such a common scam with many people falling for it that even the FTC warns against it.
What is the ‘envelope stuffing scam’?
The ‘make money packing envelopes’ scam is where the victim is lured in with an online advert or flyer usually promising great money for sitting at home packing envelopes.
Like this one:
What happens next is usually one of two things:
You’ll be asked to pay a joining fee – ‘for just a small fee you can be earning an extra XXX a month, just for packing envelopes in the comfort of your own home!’ After paying this you’ll either hear nothing at all ever again OR you’ll be sent information on how to create your own envelope stuffing adverts, so you can carry on and scam more people yourself.
Besides, even if you could make a little money perpetuating the scam yourself – do you really want to be part of something so unethical?
So if you see a flyer on a notice offering an at home envelope packing job – take it and stuff it where it belongs.
Signs of a scam job
If you are searching for ways to make money from home, be on the lookout for signs of other scams like envelope stuffing jobs – here are some red flags to be wary of:
- Poor spelling
- Unprofessional looking advert
- Non secure website
- Non specific job description
- No company contact information
- You’re asked for payment
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Alternatives to envelope stuffing jobs
Virtual assistance
There are plenty of genuine work opportunities as a Virtual Assistant. These are remote working positions where you can be paid to help people with various administration tasks, writing, data entry, uploading, editing, social media management and more. If you have skills in particular areas you may be able to find work as a VA.
Here’s some examples of Virtual Assistant jobs and how to find work.
Completing research studies
This isn’t something you can do as a job with set hours, but it is an easy way to earn some occasional extra money.
Crowdsourcing research platforms such as Prolific will pay you to complete studies online from your home.
Other companies such as People for Research and Respondent will pay you for taking part in remote research projects or online interviews.
Start your own home business
There are so many different opportunities to make money from home, depending on your skills and interests. You could consider:
- Working as a freelance writer
- Petsitting
- Starting a craft business selling homemade art or crafts
- Doing micro tasks on Clickworker
- Transcribing work
- Doing home bookkeeping
- Offering babysitting services
- Taking paid surveys
Read more:
- 11 Best Side Hustle Ideas For Introverts >>
- 51+ Legit Money Making Ideas >>
Recap:
Are envelope stuffing jobs legitimate?
No, envelope stuffing jobs are not legitimate and usually scams.
Can you earn money from home packing envelopes?
You’re unlikely to make any money packing envelopes. Avoid envelope stuffing scam jobs and look for other legitimate ways to make money.
