When I wrote that Working From Home Can’t Be Beat back in March, I hadn’t stopped to consider the shady side of things. After all, we all know by now that the Internet has a big ol’ shady side. “There’s a sucker born every day, and two to take ‘em,” as P.T. Barnum was purported to say (though others say he didn’t actually say it). It seems that the work at home field is no different …

With our tax dollars happily at work, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shines the light on work-at-home schemes that aren’t quite on the up-and-up.

Be part of one of America’s Fastest Growing Industries!

Earn thousand of dollars a month – from your home – Processing Medical Billing Claims.

You can find ads like this everywhere – from the street light and telephone pole on your corner to your newspaper and PC. While you may find these ads appealing, especially if you can’t work outside your home, proceed with caution. Not all work-at-home opportunities deliver on their promises.

Many ads omit the fact that you may have to work many hours without pay. Or they don’t disclose all the costs you will have to pay. Countless work-at-home schemes require you to spend your own money to place newspaper ads; make photocopies; or buy the envelopes, paper, stamps, and other supplies or equipment you need to do the job. The companies sponsoring the ads also may demand that you pay for instructions or “tutorial” software. Consumers deceived by these ads have lost thousands of dollars, in addition to their time and energy.

Looking for a work-at-home offer? In addition to medical billing, the FTC warns wannabe home workers to beware of offers for envelope stuffing, assembly and craft work, in particular.