Where do you start?

So you've decided that you'd like to try to work from home but you're not really sure where to start. The best thing to do is to look at what you want to avoid. There are a lot of scams out there and those are the pitfalls you want to avoid.

You can first start by checking with the Better Business Bureau to see whether the company in question has had any problems or complaints. From there you can also keep an eye on this site. They give you some great tips on how to avoid the work at home scams that seem to be everywhere these days.

When you're searching through job banks, or if you are looking at a specific company try to avoid using the words "work at home". Instead, try some of the following key phrases:

• telecommuting
• telework
• virtual
• home workers
• home-based employee
• home-based employment
• must have home office
• remote work
• freelance
• 1099 employee (or IC)
• independant contractor
• off-site

Keep in mind that a legit company will not ask you for a fee to work for them. You'll want to stay away from "classic" scams such as envelope stuffing. Instead of receiving work, you'll receive information on how to post an ad just like you saw asking people for money on work at home opportunities. Not only will you lose your money, but you could be liable for fraud!

Here are some of the ads you might have seen in your local paper:

• Assembly work at home! Easy money assembling craft items. No experience necessary.
• Make copies of this letter and send them to people whose names we will provide. All you have to do is send us ten dollars for our mailing list and labels. Look at the chart below and see how you will automatically receive thousands in cash return!!!
• Moms, make $500 from your computer today! No experience necessary.

These ads are all typical scams that will take your money, your time and possibly your reputation!

The other big tell tale sign that there are going to be problems is when a company promises big money for little work (or tells you you don't need any experience). A work at home position is just like any other position you would apply for. You are going to need to put in the hours to earn the pay. If the company promises you thousands of dollars for a couple hours of work each day, run the other way! Likewise, if the company is promising high wages for a position that requires no specialized knowledge, you should make sure you really look into the company and the job offered.

There ARE many jobs available for a virtual worker, you just have to know where to look and how to protect yourself. We'll cover forums that will offer leads and support from other virtual workers, as well as keeping you updated on new scams, and how to protect yourself.

Next time, find out where to look to find real work at home positions and obtain some great leads.