[Jobs] "Work-At-Home Scams Just Don't Pay"

[Everett Gavel]

----- Original Message ----- 
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 9:12 AM
Subject: FEDINFO E-letter from Pueblo, May 2007
Issue 2007-3


WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS JUST DON'T PAY

Want an easy way to earn extra money from the comfort
of your own home? You're not alone. Working at home has
become increasingly attractive. Unfortunately, as the
number of jobs grows in response to public interest, so
have bogus job offers.

There are two basic types of scams:


  * Work at home jobs that involve envelope stuffing,
assembling crafts or other items, or other tasks where
you are (supposedly) paid by a company as an employee.
  * Home-based business opportunities, such as medical
billing, in which you have to send in money to get
training materials and start-up equipment. However, the
only money anyone sees is the money in the scammer's
pockets.

Work-at-home scams have cost victims thousands of
dollars. Check out all jobs before responding.
Legitimate companies provide information in writing.

U.S. Postal Inspectors offer these tips:


  * Don't give out personal information to a person or
company you don't know.
  * Be suspicious of any offer that doesn't pay a
regular salary or involves working for an overseas
company.
  * Check the company with the FTC [
http://www.consumer.gov/ ], Better Business Bureau [
http://www.bbb.org/ ], or your state Attorney General
[ http://www.naag.org/attorneys_general.php ].

You can order a free DVD [
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/dvdorder.htm ]
from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service about
work-at-home scams.