How NOT to Make Money: Racking Up Commissions with Unauthorized Service Lines

Feel like adding a nice little commission bonus to your next paycheck?

Careful how you do it!

As one (now former) AT&T employee learned, finding creative ways to rack up those commission checks can lead to some hilarious (and not-so-hilarious) consequences. In a commission scheme gone wrong, she managed to turn a few extra bucks into a total legal nightmare.

Her story is another little reminder that there are right and wrong ways to make extra money on the side.

Let’s dive into what happened and how you can avoid her mistakes while building a sustainable and ethical income.

1. The Wrong Way to Make Money

Imagine you’re working a commission-based job, earning extra money for every new line you sell.

Would you be tempted to add new lines any way you could?👀

So here’s what our (former) AT&T employee did.

She acted normal with customers then went in afterwards and added unauthorized lines to their accounts.

More lines, more commission, and no one’s the wiser, right?

Well sure, until customers started noticing charges for things they didn’t ask for.

(Duh.)

Cue the complaints, investigation, a knock on the door from state police.

In the end, she got arrested, booked, and charged.

BTW: turns out, she was also keeping trade-in devices to hawk online. So let’s note that down as another way to not make money.

2. The Best Ways to Boost Your Income

Thankfully, there are plenty of ethical and sustainable ways to make money. Here are some smart strategies that don’t involve adding phantom phone lines to anyone’s account:

a. Develop New Skills
Invest in yourself! Whether it’s learning digital marketing, coding, or project management, acquiring high-demand skills can increase your earning potential. Platforms like Coursera or Skillshare make it easy to learn on your schedule.

b. Start a Side Hustle
Side hustles are a great way to boost your income. Try freelancing, selling handmade goods on Etsy, or tutoring online. Bonus: You can build something you genuinely enjoy doing.

c. Negotiate Your Salary
Feeling underpaid? Research industry standards and make your case. Most employers appreciate when employees advocate for their value—just do it honestly.

d. Monetize Your Hobbies
Love baking, photography, or yoga? Turn your passions into profits. Offer your services to friends or start a social media account showcasing your skills.

e. Explore Passive Income Options
Passive income takes time to build but can be incredibly rewarding. Consider dividend investing, creating digital products like e-books or printables, or even renting out a spare room on Airbnb.

3. Mistakes to Avoid On Your Path to a Higher Income

When exploring ways to make more money, keep these pitfalls in mind:

• Taking Shortcuts: Get-rich-quick schemes often lead to legal troubles—or worse, financial loss.
• Ignoring Ethics: Reputation is everything. Acting with integrity builds trust and long-term success.
• Neglecting Sustainability: Focus on efforts that align with your values and skills, not just quick fixes.

4. Lessons from the AT&T Fraud Case

So, what can we learn from our would-be commission fraudster?

• Shortcuts are tempting, but they rarely pay off in the long run.
• Ethical practices might take longer, but they’re the key to sustainable income.
• Building trust and reputation is priceless – once lost, it’s hard to recover.

Take a moment to reflect on your own money-making strategies. Are they aligned with your long-term goals? If not, it might be time to reevaluate.

Increase Your Income the Right Way

Making money doesn’t have to be risky business. While shortcuts like the AT&T fraud scheme might sound clever in the moment, they can lead to serious consequences. Instead, focus on strategies that are ethical, sustainable, and aligned with your goals.

Looking for more tips on how to boost your income? Check out our post on the most economically profitable side hustles. Start making money the right way – no fraud required!