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Step 1
Look at the layout of the website. Does it look professional with clean lines and an easy to navigate structure? Or are the pages busy and sloppy? Legitimate online career schools will have a professional looking site. Scam schools tend to cut corners to make more money.
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Step 2
Check if the website is overrun with advertising. Even real career training schools may have one or two ads on some pages--but mostly for related educational products. A legit training school should make most of it's money by education students, not selling ad space. If the ads are too numerous and distracting, it's likely a scam.
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Step 3
Pay attention to outrageous claims of guaranteed job placement. Scammy online schools that offer advanced career training will often claim their graduates find work or get raises shortly after completion. This is so you will be convinced the program will pay for itself. Most of these claims are unsubstantiated and unprovable. Reputable schools will not make such claims without evidence.
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Step 4
For some fields, there are recognized accrediting boards for training schools and training programs. Ask the school what accreditation it has, and then do some research to make sure that the accreditation itself is not a scam.
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Step 5
If you are unsure about the quality of an online training program, there are many government agencies you can ask. Try your state auditor's or attorney general's office. Depending on your field, there are licensing boards you can check with too. And don't overlook employers and Better Business Bureaus. Do this before you submit your credit card info!
