9 Side Hustles That Feel More Like Scams

Not every side hustle is a scam—but the wrong one can waste your time and money. If something feels off or sounds too easy, it’s worth digging a little deeper. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed, read the fine print, and make sure any extra income actually moves you forward. Here are nine side hustles that may feel scammy to you.

Multi-Level Marketing Schemes

MLMs often disguise themselves as small businesses, but they usually rely on recruitment over actual product sales. People spend hundreds on starter kits and never earn it back. Most sellers make very little, while a small few at the top profit from everyone else.

Cash Stuffing “Coaching”

Budgeting with cash envelopes can help you save—but beware of so-called coaches charging to teach it. Many simply repackage free info and upsell courses or binders that aren’t worth the price. The method works, but the paid programs often don’t deliver anything new.

Selling Digital Downloads Without a Niche

Platforms like Etsy and Gumroad make it easy to list digital products—but making actual sales is a different story. A lot of people follow trending tutorials, throw something together, and wait. But without a real plan, audience, or product that stands out, it can be tough to gain traction.

Stock Photo Submissions

Uploading photos to stock sites is super simple, but the payout is often pennies per download. Unless you’re producing in bulk and know what sells, it’s hard to earn much. For most people, the time spent editing and uploading doesn’t match the return.

Dropshipping Without Experience

It may look passive on YouTube, but dropshipping is full of hidden work—customer service, shipping delays, quality control. Many people launch without understanding how to run a store and get stuck refunding unhappy buyers while chasing slim profit margins.

High-Priced Affiliate Programs

Some affiliate gigs require you to buy into the product before you can promote it. These often feel shady, especially when you’re encouraged to recruit others to do the same. When the focus shifts from helping people to getting others to sign up, it’s a red flag.

Course Creation With No Expertise

Online course platforms are booming, and some people rush to launch a course based on something they just learned themselves. If you don’t have real experience or results to back it up, you’ll likely struggle to build trust—or get repeat buyers.

Paid App Testing Jobs

Some “get paid to test apps” gigs ask for an upfront fee or require you to sign up for other services. That’s a clear sign to walk away. Real user testing jobs do exist, but they don’t require you to jump through hoops or pay first.

Reselling Coaching Programs

If someone tells you to pay for a course that teaches you how to sell the same course to others—run. These setups often resemble pyramid schemes. There’s no actual product or skill, just a cycle of convincing others to sign up.

Do Your Homework

Side hustles can be great—but only if they’re honest and sustainable. If something sounds too easy or too fast, it probably is. Take time to research, ask questions, and trust your gut. A good side hustle should pay you back—not leave you feeling used.

This article first appeared on Cents + Purpose.