Steer clear of sneaky work-at-home schemes

The Better Business Bureau has been receiving thousands of complaints from victims of a work-at-home scheme that has fooled even savvy consumers. Google Money Tree promises extra income from using home computers, but first you have to spend a small amount of money upfront—usually $1 to $4—for a kit to get started. Once you hand over your account information, you'll be hit with a monthly recurring membership charge of $72.

Protect yourself from sneaky work-at-home schemes:

* Research the company before you sign up. Do an Internet search and check with the Better Business Bureau.
* Watch for red flags, such as upfront out-of-pocket costs.
* Be cautious: You shouldn't have to pay for the privilege of being interviewed for a job.
* Don't respond to unsolicited e-mail messages or vague job descriptions.
* Turn the other way If the position involves depositing a check from the company into your account, keeping some of that money for yourself, and wiring the rest to other sources.

Never give personal account information to strangers. In the case of Google Money Tree, that's how victims got hit with recurring monthly charges.