Work at home cons are becoming more widespread these days due to the increased demand of home based jobs. It is pitiful that so many people are becoming victims to such Schemes and most likely these scams are directed at mothers, elderly citizens and also disabled people. If you are looking for a work at home opportunity, then you should know how to recognize these Schemes and avoid becoming a victim.

Here are examples of some work at home scams:

Scam #1: Envelope Stuffing This is the classic scam which a lot of us has come across at least once before. You receive an advertisement or a brochure stating that you can gain $1-$2 for each envelope you stuff. Seems to be an easy way to get money, right?? Think again. Normally, you need to pay a start-up membership fee of somewhere $30 or more to join the envelope stuffing program. When you receive the start-up package, you realize that the instruction tells you to spread the word about this envelope stuffing business, then you will get paid. The trick is that they want you to help them earn the start-up fees by sending out the same junk mail you received in the first place. The trick is to get your start-up fee (your money!) first before you work out how this scheme really works.

Scam #2 : Processing Medical Bills This scam requires you to pay anywhere from $300 to $900 for the tools you need to start your own medical billing service at home. They will guarantee you some high-tech billing software as well as a list of potential customers in your vicinity. Don't you think that most medical institutions would process their own medical bills or outsource the processing to a legitimate company, instead of people with no experience or knowledge whatsoever? When the package arrives (if it ever does!), you will find that the software is not up-to-date or does not function at all and the list of customers is just completely wrong. You will never get back your money with this one..

Scam #3 : Craft Assembly In this scam, you are told you will be paid an extremely high rate for every toy, doll, jewelry or other craft item you assemble at home. However, first you will need to pay a start up fee to receive a starter pack which includes instructions and parts. When you are done putting together the product, you are told by the company that they do not meet their specifications therefore you will not be paid for it. Actually you will never be able to reach their expectations as the scam gets money by selling the starter packs. In the end, you are left with a bunch of low quality products sitting in your home.

Scam #4 : Data Entry

I have seen advertisements and postings for data entry positions countless times on the Internet and even in online employment sites. All you need to do is just pay $10 to receive a training package and they would send me all the training materials. You should also note that the job description is normally very vague and no experience is required. There was once when I emailed the person in charge and requested for more information on the job. I immediately received a reply saying that I have been hired and I just need to pay a small sum to get started right away. Wow! That easy?? The “job description” is normally that you will need to send out advertisements and postings similar to the one you received to other unsuspecting victims. Once they pay up the $10, then you will get half of the money and the person who recruited you will receive half as well.

Scam #5 : Email Processing

This scam is actually similar to the classic envelope stuffing scam mentioned above. As usual you will be required to pay an upfront fee of about let’s say $49.95 to receive instructions and an email distribution list. The instructions will teach you how to process the emails and you will supposedly get about $25 for each email processed! Wow. Sounds like the ideal work at home job, right? WRONG!! The instructions they send you are actually on how to spam other people’s emails with the same advertisement which prompted you to pay $49.95 in the first place. Then when another unsuspecting person (like yourself) takes the bait and pays $49.95, the scum spam company will pay you your $25. MAYBE?

Ask yourself, is that the kind of work at home job you want to spend your precious time doing? Is it ethical? Is it legal? You are actually associating yourself with a con if you join such work at home scams, which disguise themselves as opportunities. One thing I strongly believe is that there is no shortcut to success. Yes, sometimes with luck you can get there quicker than others but almost all of the time, it takes hard work and then some.

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Stella Parks is a 28 year old corporate slave, determined to spread the word on “work at home” opportunities to Mums everywhere. Visit her blog Mummy's Home Biz for useful info, advice, tips and more to help you become a successful work at home Mum.