With the downturn in the economy, increased unemployment, and people facing foreclosures on their homes, "Work at Home" scams are returning to the forefront.Letters in the mail or emails promise big pay for work that is done in the comfort of your own home.They direct you to call or visit sites to register to work.Once you've registered, the scammers have all of your personal details, such as your address, email, phone number, social security number, etc. Some sites require that you pay a fee to register with them, so instead of stealing your identity, they just steal your money.
 Thandi Zulu was single, pregnant, and staying at a women's shelter in Houston, Texas, when she received a mysterious letter one day. A company told Zulu that she could make big money working at home in a data-entry job. No résumé or experience was needed. All she had to do was pay a $200 fee. Zulu called the company and gave them her checking account number. As soon as she did it, it occurred to her that she was being scammed.She tried to call the company back and never got an answer.
Before you give your information to anyone, do a cross check on the site or company.Try to contact them through a phone number.Check with the Better Business Bureau. Whenever you pay for something online, check that the site is secure. Google the company and see if there is information online.NCPC offers a wealth of information on protecting yourself from fraud