While trying to find online jobs, I have noticed many who seem like they would be good choices, but they aren't accredited. I was wondering what your views were on this. The reason I ask is because some of the companies I would like to work for require a social security number. It's frustrating because I've found two sites: textbroker.com and examiner.com. They both seem like pretty good sites and it seems to me that they have a lot of members, so I want to do it, but I don't want to give out my SSS. I went to bbb.org to see if I could find more info and they pretty much don't know much of anything about either one of these sites, except that examiner has been around for some time and has had zero complaints.

I have written a few articles on textbroker and it seems like it would be a fairly easy way to make money, but I can't cash out until they have my info. What should I do? I wish I didn't have to give them my sss!!

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-Brittany Brydahl

I completely understand your concern about giving out your social security number. There are a lot of scams out there, and you're right to be careful. There are a lot of legitimate places that ask for your SSN for tax purposes. I know of at least two places that ask for your SSN on a W-9 that are also legitimate.

mturk.com
advice.com (They have an EARN program. The money is deposited into your paypal account.)

I agree with you Brittany and I don't feel too comfortable giving out my social security number either - but I would say go with your instinct and your research. When you type in the company name in Google, if you get more positive reviews and no complaints, or just one or two from disgruntled people who have a personal beef rather something legitimate to complain about, I think it is fairly safe to give out your number. That's what I do and I thankfully, I have never encountered any problems so far.

Thanks Hirami for the site ideas! Thanks both of you for responding I will go with my gut and see what happens. For now, I'm trying to find places that are affiliated with the BBB.

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-Brittany Brydahl

Textbroker is pretty legitimate. I submitted my information to them several months ago, and i have not seen anything suspicious. I have received one payment from them already.

Just don't forget that you have to pay taxes on that money if you make over $600. I try to be as careful as I can when I have to give out my information. It always makes me feel better knowing that the site is a secure one.

I suggest checking out these sites at the WAHM forum (http://www.wahm.com/forum/), it is very likely that there would be a thread there that mentions them. People will share their experiences and help you judge whether the sites are legit and safe.