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Work at home scams are essentially nothing particularly new. They have been around for a long time, at one time restricted to being advertised in such as the classified columns of newspapers. What workers particularly have to be aware of in modern times, however, is how the advent and spiralling popularity of the Internet has increased not only the number of these scams but the ways in which the scammers can trick the unwary in to falling for their all too often tempting sales pitch.

The first giveaway regarding a work from home scam is where the "employer" will ask for an initial outlay from the prospective worker in order to provide them with either the materials or the knowledge which they will require in order to do the job. Particularly where this money is requested simply for provision of knowledge, the sincere likelihood is that the payment workers make in this respect is the one and only source of income which the scammer has from their scheme. It may well be the case that the unfortunate parting with their hard-earned cash will receive something in return but the likelihood is that it is going to be totally worthless and in no way capable of generating any revenue for them at all.

Another giveaway is where the "employer" tells his target audience how rich he is, how many foreign trips he takes every year, how many cars he has and how many mansions he has. Very often, pictures will be provided of these "possessions." What the worker should ask themselves most sincerely in these situations is, if the "employer" is so successful in the business in question, why is he so keen to share his knowledge with others and essentially invite competition upon himself? The reason, quite simply, is that the "employer" will only ever have those things in life through being able to con enough subscriptions out of unsuspecting individuals with dollar or pound signs in their eyes.

Work at home scams very often involve inviting the worker to take surveys or read e-mails in exchange for what is quite often totally unreasonable projected rewards. This may or may not involve an initial outlay and will very often involve the worker being asked to invite friends to join them in the scheme. It may be that the scheme will progress very well in the initial stages and the worker will actually see themselves earning some money. Often, this nominal sum is actually even paid out. Then there is the very real possibility of the sting in the tail.

I am not suggesting this happens in every case, but frequently the worker will be invited to purchase "premium" membership on the site. For a "small initial outlay" they will be promised that their rewards will multiply many times over and the danger is, because they have already seen a pay-out, the worker will bite - hook, line and sinker. That will be the last they will see of their outlay or their "rewards." I am ashamed to say it but I speak from personal experience in this instance.

The golden rule for workers regarding work at home scams therefore has to be that if it sounds to good to be true, it almost certainly is and that they are far better advised to keep a hold of their cash and earn money in some more conventional and reliable sense, be it online or off.

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
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