Warning over 'work from home' fraudsters

FRAUDSTERS are taking advantage of rising unemployment by targeting the unemployed with "work from home" scams.

A quarter of the adult population have been contacted by scams offering so-called profitable business opportunities or start-up advice, with 17 per cent targeted in the last year as unemployment levels have risen, according to the Office of Fair Trading.

The scams typically use newspapers, shop windows and lampposts to advertise paid work from home and persuade victims to pay an upfront fee for work materials or for details of how they can earn money.

In most cases no work is on offer and where there is, no pay is forthcoming.

The OFT said genuine work from home schemes should detail in writing exactly what you will be expected to do, how much you will be paid, and how and when you will be paid.