Since working at home is an attractive and affordable option, people are targeted either via online ads, pop-up ads, or promotional e-mails that promise false information on how to earn money by working at home. Some common work at home scams are noticeable, like stuffing envelopes.

Story of the So-Called Internet Millionaires

Most of the ads captivate phony stories about how the guys became millionaires overnight. The majority of these over-night "internet millionaires" are complete fakes, they are not rich as they claim but they make money by selling their secrets to people like you and me. Does this sound familiar to you? More often than not, people have fallen into these strong pitch sales pages and shelled out their hard earned money in return for nothing.

How to Identify Legitimate Work at Home Biz from Scams?

First and foremost, you should realize that there are no short-cut to riches. Most of the companies that advertise on the internet do not guarantee fixed salaries to the employed. In fact, there exist no guidelines for companies employing people on internet on web-based home business. There are certain guidelines but the law has to become strict too. Since there is no hard and fast rule of the hours you would need to work and it is difficult to judge, payment terms are also vague. Sometimes you end up spending thousands before you realize that it wasn't worth the money and the time.

In order to prevent yourself becoming a victim of work at home scams, you need to thoroughly study about the company before making any subscription payments. Genuine and legitimate companies will provide all the details, money back guarantee in the company website. You can call the company-support, send emails to check the credentials.

Re-shipment Frauds

Reshipping frauds are becoming very common work at home scams. For example, the home based worker needs to receive the consignment, repack and then mail the merchandise to a foreign address. The poor home biz guy is promised a substantial amount of money, but he may not know that the merchandise was paid with stolen credit cards. He becomes a victim of receiving and mailing of stolen goods without his knowledge. What's more he isn't even paid for the work, the check he receives may bounce or he is simply asked to deposit some more money for start-up or operational costs. He puts his own funds thinking that the money may come and eventually it might never come.

Google sues over alleged work-at-home scams

The latest news reproduced as it is -- Google is taking legal action to stop companies from allegedly using the search giant's name to trick people into paying for supposed work-at-home kits advertised online and through e-mails. "The scam victimizes unsuspecting consumers by prominently displaying the famous Google mark, by suggesting sponsorship by the plaintiff Google Inc., and by urging consumers to obtain a kit supposedly showing them how to make money working from home with Google."

People should do some Web research before answering any ads and look to see if consumers have complained online about the company, as well as be skeptical of any offers that sound like they are too good to be true. Victims should contact their bank or credit card company and report fraudulent-looking results found in Google searches and fraudulent-looking ads.