THE local public has been warned to steer clear of homeworking schemes which promise "fantastic" opportunities.
The Consumer Protection Agency says most of these schemes are a "scam."
High earnings are offered for a simple job that can be carried out at home. Those interested send an initial fee for information, when this arrives there is a request for a further sum for a kit. This usually amounts to around £80.
The kit can consist of anything from envelope addressing to mobile phone cover construction. The work sent back to the company is constantly rejected for being 'substandard'.
Government departments, local authority trading standard officers and consumer protection bodies are trying to stop the growing numbers of bogus homeworking schemes.
A spokesman said: "The most effective way not to be duped by these conmen is for people to completely avoid them and not buy the 'fantastic' opportunity. Genuine homeworking schemes will not advertise and will not ask for money upfront."
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