Work-from-home
The scam
You see an ad in a local newspaper, shop window or on a lamppost. It is offering paid work from home, with the promise of fast cash for minimal effort. The ads might say the work is envelope-stuffing or craft assembly.
The catch is that you have to pay an upfront fee to the organiser - for example, for materials to do the job or for them to reveal their 'secrets'. This is a scam. They take your money, but are unlikely to pay you for any work you do, claiming your work is not up to standard. Or you may find that there is no work on offer, only commission for getting other people to sign up.
Of course, there are some genuine work-from-home schemes. They will tell you in writing exactly what you will be expected to do, how much you will be paid, and how and when you will be paid.
Protect yourself
- If you reply to a job ad and are asked for money in advance, walk away.
- If you are looking for genuine work to do at home, think about approaching local companies.
- Before signing up to a work-from-home scheme, do a web search on the company, and ask to speak to current workers.
If you think you've been a victim of this scam, call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06.
