The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has released a report showing that those looking for work are being targeted by scammers offering false home working opportunities.The findings, as part of the OFT's Scams Awareness Month campaign, show that one in four adults has at some point in their life been contacted by work from home scammers. These scams are attempts to swindle money by offering so-called profitable business opportunities or start-up advice. The survey shows that 17 per cent of the adult population has been targeted in the last 12 months, and the incidence of such scams is rising.

This type of con normally promise hefty profits from business opportunities if the person pays an up-front fee for ‘secrets’ and materials. Then, often, there is no actual work to do or the person who has signed up never manages to get paid. The OFT suggests that:

• If you reply to a job ad and are asked for money in advance, walk away.
• Before signing up to a work from home scheme, find out as much information as you can.

• Do a web search on the company and ask to speak to current workers.