Work at home warnings

What should you be worried about?

The work at home opportunities advertised in local newspapers, shop windows or on lamp posts which claim to offer you a quick way to make a lot of money working at home.
You will often have to pay money to find out about the business. This might be in the form of a registration fee, buying goods or making a premium rate phone call.  After you have paid your money you find that there is either no work to do or that you will not be paid for any work that you have done.  
There are often many fradulent work at home scams known to be in operation at any one time. Typically the initial outlay is between £10 to £60.  

Some common examples of typical fradulent work at home opportunities

Home assembly kits: this work at home opportunity involves you paying a fee to receive a kit for making things from baby boots and aprons to toys. However, the kit is usually inadequate for making the goods required. Then the business rejects them because your work is sub-standard.
Addressing or stuffing envelopes: this work at home business involves you paying a registration fee to join in return for simple advice on how to place similar advertisements to attract other people into the so called business.  
Home working directories: this work at home opportunity promises you a variety of different home work opportunities however once you pay the fee of £10 to £25, you only receive a directory of other companies who have their own registration fees and a list of shopping catalogues

How do I know it is a scam?

The work at home business will ask for money to provide details.
The work at home business will promise large sums of money for performing simple tasks
The work at home business will use a post office box address or a mobile phone number so you never meet them and cannot find them once you realise it is a scam