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Packing or stuffing envelopes at home sounds like an easy job to get some money. Staying at home and doing manual tasks to earn money would be something everyone can easily do.
However, are these opportunities legit? Can you really earn money from packing or stuffing envelopes? Sadly, it is not as easy as it sounds, as you can find out in the article below.
Packing/Stuffing Envelopes at Home Jobs
What Are Envelope Packing/Stuffing Jobs?
When you do a packing or stuffing envelope job, you will be sent leaflets, cards, or letters to put in an envelope. You will then post these to customers.
The packing is entirely done at home and you will get paid for your efforts. Companies that offer packing jobs are those that have large mailing lists, for example for advertising.
Why Are Envelope Packing Jobs Appealing?
Envelope packing and stuffing jobs have several advantages. You potentially can:
- Do it from home
- Fit it around your schedule
- Start without any specific skills
- Do as much or as little work as you want
- Watch TV or listen to a podcast while you work
- Avoid meetings and phone calls
These characteristics make stuffing envelopes at home an attractive job for those with some free time who are looking to make some extra cash.
Are Envelope Packing/Stuffing Jobs Scam?
Envelope packing or stuffing jobs at home are mostly scams. Nowadays, machines can pack envelopes more cost efficiently so there is no need for humans to do the work.
However, there are still times when human packing is required. Some jobs may require creativity or are too complicated for machines.
In these rare cases, you may come across a legit envelope-packing job.
How Does the Envelope-Packing Scam Work?
There are different types of envelope-packing scams going around. What they all have in common is that you will waste your time at best. Most will also be costly for you.
You Need to Pay a Sign-up Fee
Some sams are straightforward and ask for a sign-up fee before you can start your job. When you pay these fees, you will never hear back from the scammer.
You Need to Buy a Starter Kit
Some scammers may ask you to buy a starter kit before you can start working. This could be a directory with addresses or something else.
Then, once you transfer the money, you will never get the starter kit nor hear from the scammer again.
In some cases, the starter kit will be advertised as free. This is never true and you will always be asked to pay.
You May Be Ghosted After You Complete the Work
Everything may start well without a fee or a starter kit. However, you may still be scammed. Sometimes, scammers will wait until you completed your first batch of work and then disappear.
You will never get paid for your work, meaning the scammers got free labour.
What Are Signs of a Scam Job Offer?
There are many signs that tell you when a job offer is a scam.
The Pay Is Unrealistic
If someone offers you up to £30 per hour for a simple job such as envelope stuffing, you can be sure that it is a scam. Do not let yourself be tempted by high numbers.
Packing envelopes is unskilled labour and a legit job will not pay much more than the minimum wage.
Their Website Is Not Secure
If you see a job offer and click on the link to the company’s website, you may get a warning that it is not secure. You can also tell from the URL.
A secure and legit website will have its URL start with “https://”. An insecure site has just “Http://”. It is only an “s” missing but this can make a huge difference.
You Cannot Find Any Information About the Company
A legit company usually has reviews online and is active on social media. At the very least, you should be able to find the company registration and a Trustpilot entry.
If you cannot find any information about the company, it is likely that it is a scam.
Does Amazon Offer Packing from Home Jobs?
Amazon does not offer packing-from-home jobs. This seems to be a common assumption but it is entirely wrong. Amazon has its own packing facilities.
If you are offered a packing job by Amazon, it is a scam.
How Can You Report a Scam Website?
There are multiple avenues to report a scam. Important for all of them is that you gather as many details as you can.
This includes any emails or messages you may have received, a screenshot of the job offer, and anything else you can think of.
If you have lost money due to a scam, you can contact Action Fraud. You can sign up or make a report as a guest here. You will then need to fill out a simple online form.
If you have not yet made any payments, you can report the scam to the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). They will then investigate for you.
Lastly, you can also report the scam to Citizens Advice. This can be done online or by using the hotline.
Are All Envelope-stuffing Jobs Scam?
Not all envelope-stuffing jobs are scams. Even in the digital age, some companies still need to send letters through the post.
And if the work is too complex for machines, or the company does not have the resources, humans will have to do the job.
However, stuffing envelopes at home jobs are rare. When you see a job offer, it is more likely to be a scam than it is not.
Are There Legit Alternatives to Stuffing Envelopes at Home Jobs?
If you are looking for legit ways to make money from home, there are better alternatives to stuffing envelopes at home.
- Wonder. Wonder, or AskWonder, is a website that pays you to do simple research tasks. The pay is not great and you need to pass a test before you can start, but it is legit. Read more in my AskWonder review
- YouTube. Why not start your own YouTube channel? Contrary to common belief, you do not need to be an influencer to get paid for YouTube videos. Read how you can make money on YouTube without showing your face
Packing/Stuffing Envelopes at Home Jobs Summary
Packing or stuffing envelopes at home means getting paid to pack and mail letters to customers. While this used to be a legit job, most opportunities nowadays are a scam.
Scammers make money from sign-up fees, paid starter kits, or exploiting free labour. If you suspect a scam or have already become a victim, make sure you report it to the NCSC, Action Fraud, or Citizens Advice.
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