Don't Mean To Say It...But I Told Ya!

Ok I confess, my previous post, Scam Free Zone was prompted by a friend who wanted to become a VA.
She sought advice from me and from a few message boards. I gave her a list of things she should do to get started. She has been searching the internet for "jobs" to get herself started, so to speak.
She came to me three months ago with her "fantastic" opportunity.... At home typist. Now I want to emphasize that not all Data Entry positions are illegitimate but I asked her to stay away from them because she has been a very skillful Executive Secretary to a CEO for the last 14 years. I think her skills are much too valuable for "At Home Typist," and I told her this.
Unfortunately she decided to ignore my warning. She's out $75.00 and her pride took a beating because I found out about it.
As she tells it, she filled out a job application after they told her she qualified for the position.Two days after sending her application, she was interviewed over the phone by a really friendly lady who told her that she was hired by "the company" after typing at home with them for six months.
The "nice" lady told her that God had been so good to her that after typing at home and making good money she was offered a full time position and was still able to work at home.
Newsflash! This was an interview wasn't it. My friend says they did not ask about her past experience, her typing speed or anything of the sort. Her interview consisted of a "nice" lady talking about her experience and then informing her that she had to pay $75.00 to be included in the program. It covered the cost of software and training and was refundable if she changed her mind. My friend thought here was a nice Christian lady who offered her money back if she changed her mind, therefore there was no risk at all.
To cut a long story short, she received a package of worthless materials in the mail and has no way of contacting her "employer."
Today my friend Mary Storm is the newest member of my team and doesn't mind my telling her experience if it keeps others from repeating it.
Tomorrow I will list additional ways to spot a scam.