Be Alert to The Warning Signs of a Work at Home Scam

While the Internet has opened up a world of opportunity for people seeking to work from home, I'm hearing more and more stories lately of people being scammed out of their hard-earned money by some Internet huckster. It's unfortunate, but even as the Web has created a telecommuting boom, it has also spawned a new breed of cons.

It pays to be cautious and do your homework before jumping into any potential job or business opportunity. You should always check the company's history with the Better Business Bureau. And it never hurts to Google the company's name and see what pops up. But what if the company is new and relatively unheard of?

There are some warning signs you can look for when answering an online ad for a home business or employment. Some of the hallmarks of a work at home scam are:

First: Promising the moon. Exaggerated claims of income, earnings, or profits. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Second: No Experience Necessary. Most jobs - well, most good jobs - require some experience.

Third: Asking that you send money for instructions or products before fully disclosing what the business is about. If the person you're communicating with is not upfront about the name of the company and the type of business it is, back away.

Fourth: They assure you there is a huge demand for the product you'll be selling or promise to provide leads.

If you've been scammed while looking for employment or think you've come across a scam, report it to The National Fraud Information Center at 1-800-876-7060. You might just save someone else the heartbreak.