Everyone wants extra money to spend outside their regular 9-5. You’ve undoubtedly heard about side hustles and the extra money they can bring in. More than the cash it brings people, it’s also a nice way for people to relax and get out of the headspace of their mundane careers.
Since the average career is draining and exhausting and can take a toll on people, they usually turn to something drastically different to earn more money. This is a side hustle.
However, not every gig is legal, and some side hustles are entirely illegal and can have drastic consequences if the law catches you. There’s also the risk of having a side hustle where you don’t follow the rules.
We’ll talk about the different sides of hustling, and you’ll learn that not all side hustles are as legal as you think.
Hacking
One of the most popular illegal side hustles is hacking. This is pretty common and one that you may have heard of before. Tech-savvy side hustlers may be tempted to make extra money by hacking. Hackers will usually break into computers, servers, and other technology with their knowledge of how to get through computer security.
There are countless ways that people can get paid to surf the web legally, but once started, it may be tempting to use your skills in some unethical manner. It’s important to remember that no matter what the circumstances, you’re committing a crime when you break into someone else’s computer without permission from the owner.
Ponzi Schemes
Then, of course, there’s the classic Ponzi scheme. A quick Google search will tell you this is one of the most popular and commonly used illegal side hustles people fall for. What is a Ponzi scheme? Essentially, a Ponzi scheme is when the Ponzi scheme owner guarantees a large return and quick turnaround time.
This scheme is incredibly illegal, and you should beware of engaging in any type of Ponzi scheme. On the other side, as a buyer, you want to be wary of anything that promises unimaginable returns in a short time.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is something that is highly regulated throughout the country. In some states, it’s legal, while in others, it is illegal. There are many ways that you can get paid legally to play games both online and offline.
However, sports betting is not the one you want to choose since it’s risky, and in some states, sports betting can have heavy consequences. If you are going to do sports betting as a side hustle, don’t forget to check your state’s laws to ensure that you’re doing it legally and following the rules.
Credit Card Skimming
Ever wondered why people are so nervous about using ATMs that appear sketchy? It’s because of a device you can typically find in the dark web market. This is called a skimming machine, and it is attached to an ATM or card swiping machine. Then, when people swipe their card or use the ATM, it automatically duplicates the card.
Once someone swipes their card, it automatically copies all the card details; hackers can use the details to duplicate multiple copies of debit and credit cards. Credit card skimming is a highly illegal side hustle that you shouldn’t engage in.
Baking Dog Treats
Do you love to bake dog treats and have considered selling them for profit? Well, this is an illegal side hustle, and you should be careful before selling your homemade dog treats. This is considered an unethical side hustle, and although many people don’t even know it’s illegal before beginning to sell it, there can be some harsh consequences for doing this illegal side hustle.
This isn’t to say that it’s impossible to do; you just have to ensure you follow FDA guidelines. This takes a lot of effort and hard work since you’ll need a local state license to mass-produce dog treats. Just be sure that if you’re planning to sell dog treats, you’re doing it legally.
WFH and Pyramid Schemes
It’s important to note that not all multi-level marketing schemes are illegal; however, pyramid schemes are illegal and are often mistaken for multi-level marketing schemes. Pyramid schemes are when companies promise members a return for recruiting other members.
You want to be wary of being recruited by companies that offer you payment in return for recruiting other members, as this is a telltale sign of a pyramid scheme and could get you in trouble.
General Scammer
Scamming is the most widespread and popular illegal side hustle in just about any country today. If you’re tech-savvy and looking to earn some extra cash, it can be tempting to use your skills in an unethical manner, but you want to think first.
Many scammers get charged, and the consequences are severe for them. So be careful that you’re only engaging in legal side hustles and never illegally scamming someone out of money.
Dark Web Scammer
Needless to say, the dark web is a dangerous place to be, and it’s even more dangerous if you’re found supporting it. There are many reasons why, but the main reason you should be wary of it is because it’s a highly dangerous and illegal side hustle.
Most dark web hackers and scammers look for ways they get through security and break into people’s devices. It’s never smart to participate in the dark web, whether making money or purchasing through it.
Identity Fraud
If you’ve heard about illegal side hustles before, then there’s no doubt that you’ve heard about identity fraud. Identity fraud is infamous, and it’s the act of stealing another person’s identity and using it as your own. When you’re impersonating someone, you can then use their identity to purchase items and make money.
This may be tempting, but it’s important to understand that it’s highly illegal. You should never engage in identity fraud, regardless of what you might think the reward will be.
Spamming
You might not think it, but spamming is also considered an illegal side hustle. There have been hackers using spam bots and spam to access the inbox of the person they’re targeting. This often looks like sending an email in disguise that encourages the participants to click on a link.
Once they click the link, you’ll have access to that person’s inbox. Although you may not consider spamming illegal, it is an illegal side hustle and one you should avoid.
Robbery
You may not think of robbery as a side hustle, but you would be surprised by what people consider to be a hustle. No matter how small you might consider stealing, it’s important to remember that any form of robbery is illegal and can have serious consequences. Regardless of the situation, getting involved with robbery is incredibly dangerous.
Home and Shop Burglary
Right along with robbery, home and shop burglary is highly illegal, and although some may consider it to be a side hustle, it’s not worth the harsh consequences. Even if you consider it small since it’s only a house or small shop, it’s important to remember that it’s still considered burglary.
Instagram Money Flipping
Everyone has heard of social media, and specifically, they’ve heard of how Instagram is now dominating the social media realm. Nowadays, anyone can make an income on Instagram, especially from starting small businesses.
One of the most popular ways is money flipping. This involves creating an Instagram account, posting photos of opportunities to followers, and then offering a quick return investment. Often, these people will pay a lucrative amount of cash and never see it again. You might consider Instagram money flipping as a side hustle, but it’s important to understand that this is illegal.
Sell Counterfeit Goods
The act of selling counterfeit goods is one of the most illegal side hustles. It might be tempting to create counterfeit items and sell them, but this is illegal, and many countries are starting to get more serious about enforcing the rules. However, regardless of how much it’s enforced, selling counterfeit goods is still one of the biggest illegal side hustles.
Selling Stolen Goods
Even though there are many ways that you can buy and sell online these days, many people turn to illegally selling stolen goods to earn an income. Usually, they’ll steal items from houses, shops, or businesses and then resell them. They’ll sell them on online platforms like eBay or Craigslist. This is illegal and something that you want to stay clear of since the consequences are harsh if you’re caught.
Selling Electronic Copies
It’s illegal to sell copies of electronic items, including CDs, DVDs, and anything else you might be tempted to sell for profit. You might think this is a harmless and easy side hustle, but in reality, it’s far from that. It’s illegal to copy anyone else’s intellectual property and dangerous to do so.
Cannabis Cultivation
The cultivation of marijuana is one of the most popular and dangerous side hustles in the United States. If you grow it, especially if you sell it, you can get in big trouble with the government. More and more people are encouraging this even though it is highly illegal due to the large income it can get you.
If you are thinking about getting into this field, then you should ensure you’re following your state’s laws and doing everything legally.
Drug Dealing
No doubt you already have an understanding of how highly dangerous and illegal drug dealing is. Many people participate in this due to the quick, high income they can make from it. However, the income is not worth the consequences. Many people receive multiple years of imprisonment along with heavy fines for drug dealing.
Embezzling
Embezzling is the process of using your legal authority to access a particular fund and use it for your benefit. This comes in a variety of ways and is highly illegal. Embezzling falls under money laundering, and although you may not consider it to be robbery or burglary, it has similar, if not worse, consequences. This can include imprisonment and heavy fines.
Insider Trading
Never heard of insider trading? That’s because it was mostly popular in the 90s and although it’s slowed down now, there are still many people that think it makes an efficient side hustle. This is when you make a profit by using the inside stats and data that you have of a company. This might seem harmless at first, but you’re committing an offense when you partake it in and it’s not worth the consequences.
Prostitution
No doubt you’ve heard of this ancient profession that millions are in. Prostitution is one of the most illegal side hustles, and people around the world partake in this hustle. People usually turn to prostitution when they’re desperate for funds or there’s a loss of jobs. There are some areas where this is legal, but for the most part, it’s important to understand that it is highly illegal.
Pimping
There’s prostitution, and then there’s pimping, which is the process of arranging prostitutes for someone else. This is a huge industry that many people are a part of and use as a side hustle. But this is an illegal side hustle that you should not do. This is highly illegal and something you should not engage in.
Counting Cards
Those who are mathematically minded may be tempted to do counting cards as a side hustle. This is a skill that many people possess and usually use in casinos or poker places where they can make money. You can greatly increase your winnings by counting cards, but it comes at the stake of engaging in an illegal side hustle that can get you banned from many places.
Resell EBooks
Just as it’s illegal to resell copies of CDs and DVDs, it’s also illegal to copy eBooks and resell or use them. This is an illegal side hustle that, although it can earn you a substantial amount of money, is not something you should participate in. There are many ways you can get paid to read books legally, and you’re better off only engaging with these.
Selling Homemade Foods
It may seem entirely harmless to make food and then sell it for profit, but it can be illegal if not done properly. It’s important to understand that this isn’t entirely illegal; if you follow the proper rules and regulations, you’re able to run a bakery or cloud kitchen from your home.
Just ensure that before doing so, you look up and follow your local state rules to ensure you’re doing it properly so that you’re not running an illegal side hustle.
Selling Homemade Soaps
Soap is relatively easy to make and can be a good gig that can earn you a good bit of cash. Some people are incredibly good at making soap and may want to turn their hobby into a side hustle. However, this can be considered an illegal side hustle if you aren’t careful.
Just like dog treats and selling homemade food, soap has rules and regulations you must follow when selling. It’s best to begin by looking at the rules and regulations to ensure that you sell your soaps legally before beginning this side hustle.
Reselling Individual Items From Multipacks
How great is it when you get a pack of items for a stellar price? You might even consider selling any extra items, but this can be an illegal side hustle. Anything that comes in a multipack cannot be sold separately. It’s illegal to send anything from a pack with all the correct information listed. Although this might seem like an easy way to make a profit on your purchase, it’s important to understand that it’s illegal.
Reselling Tickets
In most countries, it is completely illegal to resell a ticket. Even if there is no printed name on the ticket, selling your ticket to another person is considered illegal. Many people use it as a side hustle to purchase tickets and then resell them at a higher price, but this is considered an illegal side hustle and not one that you want to use.
Paid To Convince Family and Friends To Join a Program
Do you know when you join a program and then, if you convince a family member or friend to join, you’ll receive money? This is considered a pyramid scheme and can be an illegal side hustle. Although this isn’t always considered illegal, and the consequences aren’t as harsh, it’s still a dangerous way to depend on income. This is because there’s no certainty that the person will join the program and you’ll earn money.
Organizing Poker Nights
In many states, gambling is completely banned and considered illegal, so the organization of poker nights is also illegal. There’s no problem with simply hosting a game of poker for enjoyment, but when you get the money involved that’s when it can be punished by law. You might think this is a lucrative income, but it can be dangerous if you aren’t careful.
Facebook Scams
The internet is full of scams; one of the greatest is the classic Facebook scams. These happen nearly every day and for those looking to make a profit, it can be tempting to create your own Facebook scams. Usually, this comes in the form of offering buyers free shipping, advertising false photos of a product, or selling false items. This is illegal and not a side hustle worth the consequences.
Performing ‘Under-The-Table’ Work
This is, perhaps, one of the most easily mistaken illegal side hustles. After all, what’s wrong with earning some extra cash? Essentially, any cash you make needs to be reported so that it can be taxed. All your earnings need to be reported to the authorities. If you’re earning cash, ensure that you’re always reporting it so that you’re not engaging in an illegal side hustle.
Engaging in Bitcoin Scams
Engaging in Bitcoin scams is another illegal side hustle you want to be wary of engaging with. It’s common to see all kinds of Bitcoin scams on Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. This is usually when people go on these platforms, impersonate someone else, and then encourage them to sign up for programs.
The person will have to transfer money through Bitcoin to access the program and this is how they get scammed. This is illegal and can have hefty consequences if you engage in it.
It’s Not Worth It
There are many side hustles, both legal and illegal, that can bring you an income. Although illegal side hustles can bring you an immense income, it’s important to remember that it’s not worth it. We have put together this list of illegal side hustles to ensure you know which ones you want to avoid and why they’re illegal.
However, there are many more illegal side hustles, which is why it’s always important to research any side hustle before you begin doing it thoroughly.
