Genuine work from home schemes damaged by scams

This month the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) launched its 2009 Scams Awareness Month to raise awareness of mass marketed scams, which cost the UK public £3.5billion a year. Every year an estimated three million UK consumers fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet.

One of the main target groups in the UK are work from home scams, particularly in the current economic climate when many are desperate to find a new or extra income to make ends meet. Often the schemes sound too good to be true and target the inexperienced work from home contractor.

Caution should be exercised on any proposal which requires the homeworker to buy into a scheme prior to them receiving any work.

"Only 2% of people who get taken in by these scams actually report them," said Mike Haley, Director of Consumer Protection at the OFT. "Our research shows that over 300,000 people each year are falling victim and it's on the increase because of the economic climate.

At Work Anywhere supports the OFT initiative and believes that such scams are incredibly damaging to the genuine 'buy in, sell on' opportunities.

These scams are also affecting the entire credibility of working from home/anywhere over the internet which is reaching out to non-traditional internet workers who need as much encourgement and assistance as possible. Crediblity is the keystone on which this potentially large market will be built upon.

What can I do?

OFT's advice to anyone who thinks they have been drawn into a home working scam is to contact them at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or 08454 040 506.

The OFT is warning consumers to be vigilant during the economic downturn as scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated at using techniques to exploit personal and economic difficulties.

The OFT's advice to consumers who receive a possible scam offer is: 'Stop, think, and think again'. Do not be rushed into sending off money to someone you do not know. How likely is it that you have been specifically chosen for this offer? Millions of people are likely to have received the same offer. Think again - read the mailing carefully. If you are unsure, speak to family or friends and seek advice.

More on the BBC.