2007
Consumer Direct South West is warning consumers to be wary of bogus home working schemes that make wild promises of earnings of up to 24K a month. Last year alone Consumer Direct received over 500 complaints nationwide from consumers who believed they had lost money joining such schemes, 64 alone in the south west.
4th October 2007
Work at home scams are get rich quick schemes usually found advertised in shop windows, magazines and small ads in local newspapers. They are particularly attractive to the elderly, students , people with young children and disabled. Thousands of people have been caught out by these schemes by falling for the trap that they are genuine opportunities to work from home.
There are of course genuine home working schemes but be on your guard if you are asked to pay a registration fee up front to receive a starter pack or assembly kit. Genuine home working schemes won’t ask for an advance fee.
Once you do apply and send off your registration fee you may receive your kit but it may not contain instructions on how to assemble the item or even the necessary materials in order to make the product. Whatever you then send back to the company will be rejected as they will come up with some excuse not to pay you such as the items do not meet their required standard.
Clive Kenyon, Consumer Direct South West Contact Centre Manager says:
'Don’t be lured into promises of earning big money for very little work, all from the comfort of your armchair. The old saying will always apply - if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’
Consumer Direct has some top tips to help you protect yourself:
- Don’t pay any money upfront. Alarm bells should ring if they request administration fees, registration fees or money to cover materials.
- Don’t be fooled just because the advert appears in a reputable magazine or newspaper.
- Be wary if the request you ring a premium rate number in order to find out more details.
- Find out more about the company you decide to work for, a reputable company will not mind if you request details from them. Try choosing a company that is local and if possible visit the premises.
- Beware of hidden address, unscrupulous traders that have something to hide will use anonymous e-mail addresses or PO box address so it is impossible for you to trace them.
- You can contact NGH (National Group on Homeworking) or Consumer Direct for advice.
Consumer Direct is available six days a week on 08454 04 05 06. Callers are connected to specially trained consumer advisers.
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NOTES
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It offers consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
2. Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 centres based in London, the South East, the South West, the East of England, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, the North East and Scotland.
3. The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
4. A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
5. Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
MEDIA enquiries:
Kate Prosser: 01209 720281
