Asian Webcam Job
December 2, 2007 2:37 PM Subscribe
Got a job teaching people in Asia conversational American English over my webcam. Is it legit?
Anybody have any experience working for/with The Webcam Institute or a similar company?
This job would be great for my schedule and lifestyle, but I'm looking for the catch, or potential problems. It seems legit so far; I responded to the company's ad, created an account on their tutor page, and had a webcam interview which went well. I'm just waiting for the final paperwork to arrive via email, and then I can start taking calls.
The job is straightforward enough-- I log in and wait for people in Asia to call, then converse with them as long as they like through the cam (no, it's not phone sex). I am paid for the time I'm actually on a call. The job pays via PayPal, so I didn't give up any terribly sensitive information (I gave the information requested on this page, and e-mailed them my resume, but no SSN#, bank account number, or copies of my ID). I've also paid nothing (e.g., "setup" fees, etc.) to get on board.
My two main concerns are 1)I won't get the money for my work, and 2)Crafty identity thieves are using the limited information I've given toward nefarious ends.
What should I be worried about?
Anybody have any experience working for/with The Webcam Institute or a similar company?
This job would be great for my schedule and lifestyle, but I'm looking for the catch, or potential problems. It seems legit so far; I responded to the company's ad, created an account on their tutor page, and had a webcam interview which went well. I'm just waiting for the final paperwork to arrive via email, and then I can start taking calls.
The job is straightforward enough-- I log in and wait for people in Asia to call, then converse with them as long as they like through the cam (no, it's not phone sex). I am paid for the time I'm actually on a call. The job pays via PayPal, so I didn't give up any terribly sensitive information (I gave the information requested on this page, and e-mailed them my resume, but no SSN#, bank account number, or copies of my ID). I've also paid nothing (e.g., "setup" fees, etc.) to get on board.
My two main concerns are 1)I won't get the money for my work, and 2)Crafty identity thieves are using the limited information I've given toward nefarious ends.
What should I be worried about?
Response by poster: OK... why, exactly? Sorry, I'm pretty ignorant of these matters.
posted by Rykey at 2:57 PM on December 2, 2007
posted by Rykey at 2:57 PM on December 2, 2007
Eikaiwas are apparently shady in general. ED has an entertaining, if comically biased take on one of the largest that recently went belly-up. NSFW on that second link. The wikipedia article has some good external links at the bottom to blogs which 'rate' such schools (from at least the student's perspective).
posted by datacenter refugee at 2:57 PM on December 2, 2007
posted by datacenter refugee at 2:57 PM on December 2, 2007
Do they have actual clients waiting who want to pay you? It may not be a source of income you can rely on.
posted by jacquilynne at 3:00 PM on December 2, 2007
posted by jacquilynne at 3:00 PM on December 2, 2007
Are they based in the US? At some point they'd want your social security number because they'd have to send you a 1099 if you made over $600. Well, in theory they are supposed to send you one and you are supposed to claim the income. It doesn't sound like they have any intention of doing that which would lead me to believe they are a fly-by-night operation so be wary.
posted by 45moore45 at 3:04 PM on December 2, 2007
posted by 45moore45 at 3:04 PM on December 2, 2007
I'm getting bad vibes for the reasons mentioned above — I would get out now, myself.
posted by electric_counterpoint at 3:14 PM on December 2, 2007
posted by electric_counterpoint at 3:14 PM on December 2, 2007
I'm not too encouraged by the WHOIS data: registrant is Domains by Proxy. Also, their contact page lists a NY address, which means they should get your SSN if they want to be legit.
posted by PatoPata at 4:29 PM on December 2, 2007
posted by PatoPata at 4:29 PM on December 2, 2007
You would be installing their software on your computer that then connects to their server. You have no idea what sort of access you are giving them. They could potentially read data off your hard drive, record your internet usage, passwords and credit card numbers, etc.
I would not trust a company that only has 5 Google hits consisting of their website and a few comments on a couple forums with this kind of access to my system.
posted by jpdoane at 4:59 PM on December 2, 2007
I would not trust a company that only has 5 Google hits consisting of their website and a few comments on a couple forums with this kind of access to my system.
posted by jpdoane at 4:59 PM on December 2, 2007
Response by poster: Thanks for the scoop.
So, even if this company turns out to be legit (I really take the calls, get paid, etc.), it could also be a front for other shady stuff-- using my hard drive info. Am I right?
posted by Rykey at 5:55 PM on December 2, 2007
So, even if this company turns out to be legit (I really take the calls, get paid, etc.), it could also be a front for other shady stuff-- using my hard drive info. Am I right?
posted by Rykey at 5:55 PM on December 2, 2007
You would be installing their software on your computer that then connects to their server. You have no idea what sort of access you are giving them. They could potentially read data off your hard drive, record your internet usage, passwords and credit card numbers, etc.
If that's your only concern, you can always run their software from inside a virtual machine. Virtual PC is a free tool from Microsoft that can do it. If you install their software on a virtual machine you could guarantee that it would be impossible for them get at your real data.
posted by burnmp3s at 8:24 PM on December 2, 2007
If that's your only concern, you can always run their software from inside a virtual machine. Virtual PC is a free tool from Microsoft that can do it. If you install their software on a virtual machine you could guarantee that it would be impossible for them get at your real data.
posted by burnmp3s at 8:24 PM on December 2, 2007
I don't have personal experience with it, but there's another company called Teacher James, at teacherjames.com, that does similar kinds of things. The guy that runs it is a regular poster on forumosa.com, a forum for people living in Taiwan, so that might be worth checking out. People on that forum probably know more about its legitimacy, etc.
Good luck!
posted by allen8219 at 9:35 AM on December 3, 2007
Good luck!
posted by allen8219 at 9:35 AM on December 3, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jpdoane at 2:51 PM on December 2, 2007