How it works - some common examples

Home working directories
This scam promises you a variety of different home work opportunities however once you pay the fee of £10 to £25, you only receive a directory of other companies who have their own registration fees and a list of shopping catalogues


Addressing or stuffing envelopes
This scam involves you paying a registration fee to join in return for simple advice on how to place similar advertisements to attract other people into the scam

Home assembly kits
This scam involves you paying a fee to receive a kit for making things from baby boots and aprons to toys. However, the kit is usually inadequate for making the goods required. Then the scammer either promises to pay you for the goods but then rejects them because your work is sub-standard or the scammer suddenly tells you that you have to sell the goods yourself and when you come to do so you find that there is no market for the goods.

How do I know it is a scam?

(1) They will ask for money up front
(2) They promise large sums of money for performing simple tasks
(3) They use a post office box address or a mobile phone number so you never meet them and cannot find them once you realise it is a scam
the advertisements will not state clearly what is involved.

Please feel free to post scams that you know about or have experience of.