Work from home scams How to avoid work from home scams

If you’re looking for work from home opportunities, ask the following questions to avoid scams:

• What tasks will I have to do? If the answer is vague, avoid this opportunity. A genuine employer will be happy to give detail about what you will be doing.
• Will I get paid a salary or on commission? Be wary of work from home jobs which only pay on commission - will there be a market for the product or service you are providing?
• When will I be paid?
• Are there any up front fees – what are they for and will there be further fees? We strongly advise you do not accept any work from home opportunities that ask for a fee. It is almost definitely a scam.
• Is there someone else currently doing this job I can speak to?

Reporting work from home scams

If you’re concerned about a work from home scam, report it to Consumer Direct, who can also offer advice. If you think an advert for a work from home scheme is a scam, for instance it exaggerates how much you can earn or isn’t clear about what work you’ll be doing, report it to the ASA.

You can also sign up to the Mail Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service to avoid getting junk mail and cold calls from companies offering work from home opportunities.