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At-home work scams 'on the rise' | At-home work scams 'on the rise' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Scammers targeting people who want to work from home are using the downturn in the economy as a chance to cash in, the Office of Fair Trading says. | Scammers targeting people who want to work from home are using the downturn in the economy as a chance to cash in, the Office of Fair Trading says. |
Firms tricking people into thinking they can earn easy money, cost UK victims £70m a year, the OFT estimates. | Firms tricking people into thinking they can earn easy money, cost UK victims £70m a year, the OFT estimates. |
And it believes that figure is set to rise during the current recession. | And it believes that figure is set to rise during the current recession. |
The OFT is highlighting the trend as part of Scam Awareness month which seeks to stop people being conned and parting with their cash. | The OFT is highlighting the trend as part of Scam Awareness month which seeks to stop people being conned and parting with their cash. |
'Easy opportunities' | 'Easy opportunities' |
Last year 209 people reported misleading home working schemes to the government's consumer advice body Consumer Direct but the OFT says this figure is the tip of the iceberg. | Last year 209 people reported misleading home working schemes to the government's consumer advice body Consumer Direct but the OFT says this figure is the tip of the iceberg. |
I'm trying to earn money legitimately and there's someone out there taking my money Elizabeth Cork "Only 2% of people who get taken in by these scams actually report them," said Mike Haley, Director of Consumer Protection at the OFT. | I'm trying to earn money legitimately and there's someone out there taking my money Elizabeth Cork "Only 2% of people who get taken in by these scams actually report them," said Mike Haley, Director of Consumer Protection at the OFT. |
"Our research shows that over 300,000 people each year are falling victim and it's on the increase because of the economic climate. | "Our research shows that over 300,000 people each year are falling victim and it's on the increase because of the economic climate. |
"People are looking for work, for easy opportunities to earn money and these scammers are exploiting that false hope." | "People are looking for work, for easy opportunities to earn money and these scammers are exploiting that false hope." |
Elizabeth Cork from Norfolk was among those to be taken in by such a scam, after spotting an advert in a national newspaper to earn up to £300 a day at home filling envelopes. It asked for a payment of £35 for a starter pack. | Elizabeth Cork from Norfolk was among those to be taken in by such a scam, after spotting an advert in a national newspaper to earn up to £300 a day at home filling envelopes. It asked for a payment of £35 for a starter pack. |
"It wasn't too much money so I thought it would be a fairly safe thing to do," Mrs Cork told the BBC. | "It wasn't too much money so I thought it would be a fairly safe thing to do," Mrs Cork told the BBC. |
Initially nothing arrived but after writing to them again, she received an information pack, but no envelopes. | Initially nothing arrived but after writing to them again, she received an information pack, but no envelopes. |
Instead she got instructions to place leaflets - including her contact details - around her village. She was told that when people got in touch, she would then receive £1.70 in return for passing their details to the company. | Instead she got instructions to place leaflets - including her contact details - around her village. She was told that when people got in touch, she would then receive £1.70 in return for passing their details to the company. |
The golden rule is if it sounds too good, it probably is Michele ShambrookConsumer Direct Mrs Cork contacted Trading Standards who told her to write again and demand a refund or the work she was expecting. Almost two months on, she has heard nothing back. | |
"I feel really annoyed," she said. | "I feel really annoyed," she said. |
"It's the fact I'm trying to earn money legitimately and there's someone out there taking my money." | "It's the fact I'm trying to earn money legitimately and there's someone out there taking my money." |
Fee-free | Fee-free |
The traditional method of advertising such schemes is by pinning notices on lampposts and by direct mail. | The traditional method of advertising such schemes is by pinning notices on lampposts and by direct mail. |
However, they also appear alongside genuine job opportunities in newspapers, shop windows and online. | However, they also appear alongside genuine job opportunities in newspapers, shop windows and online. |
"The golden rule is if it sounds too good, it probably is", says Michele Shambrook from Consumer Direct. | |
"A genuine job is highly unlikely to ask you to pay any money upfront or any registration fee." | "A genuine job is highly unlikely to ask you to pay any money upfront or any registration fee." |
She added that commonly-seen schemes ranged from envelope stuffing to being asking to put together kits, which then got rejected for poor quality and for which you never received payment." | She added that commonly-seen schemes ranged from envelope stuffing to being asking to put together kits, which then got rejected for poor quality and for which you never received payment." |
Consumer Direct suggests anyone looking for home working opportunities should contact their local job centre. | Consumer Direct suggests anyone looking for home working opportunities should contact their local job centre. |
Their advice to anyone who thinks they have been drawn into a home working scam is to contact them at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or 08454 040 506. | Their advice to anyone who thinks they have been drawn into a home working scam is to contact them at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or 08454 040 506. |
A report on this can be seen on the BBC News Channel on Saturday 7 February | A report on this can be seen on the BBC News Channel on Saturday 7 February |
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