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Homeworking: don't be taken in by bogus job offers

URN No: 98/920

Although there are genuine jobs working at home, many are bogus. You should not have to pay to get work.

Never send money in advance to people or companies who claim they can offer you work at home.

These con tricks may start with an advert in a newspaper or a shop window, or on a local bus, or with a leaflet through your door.

Examples:

• Adverts about addressing and stuffing envelopes. These are generally followed by a demand for a registration fee. All you get for your money is advice to place adverts like the one you saw. There is no real job. Just a scam to con you out of the registration fee.
  
• Adverts asking for money for home assembly kits. These scams promise your money back and pay for making up the goods. You won’t get money back. You will be told that the goods are not up to standard or given some other excuse. The people behind the scheme never intended to pay you from the start.

Complaints

If you have been the victim of a swindle like this, complain to your local Trading Standards Department. They are listed in phone books under Council.

If you see adverts in shop windows for what look like bogus schemes, complain to the shopkeeper. Show them this leaflet.

If you see the advert in a magazine or a newspaper, you should complain to the Advertising Standards Authority. Cut the advertisement out and send it to them at Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6QT or visit their website to find out more about what advertisers must do to be legal, honest, decent and truthful.

Finding Work

• Many homeworkers find work through word of mouth – ask friends, relatives or neighbours if they know of local employers looking for homeworkers. Approach local companies to find out whether they use homeworkers.
  
• Try to find work from a firm near you. It will be easier to collect and deliver work and sort out problems.
  
• Get recommendations from other homeworkers who work or who have worked for the company and have been paid.
  
• Find out more about a company before accepting work – you might be able to visit the premises.
  
• Ask at the local job centre.

For further information and advice contact:

NATIONAL GROUP ON HOMEWORKING HELPLINE 0800 174095