The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has this month reported that people looking for work are the latest targets of scammers with work-from-home scams among the most common cons in Britain.

They say that one in four adults has at some point in their life been contacted by work-from-home scammers who attempt to swindle money by offering business opportunities or business start-up advice. Figures from a recent survey show that 17% of adults have been targeted in the last 12 months and that the number of work-from-home get-rich-quick scams is rising.

Adverts for paid work from home are typically posted in shop windows or on lampposts but can also be found in local newspapers, offering fast cash for minimal effort. The catch is that they ask for a fee upfront, perhaps for materials or business information.

Often, when the money has been paid, there is no work forthcoming and in some cases the only means of earning money is through commission in signing other people up to the scheme.

Heather Clayton, Senior Director of the Office of Fair Trading’s Consumer group, said: ‘We are seeing an increasing volume of work from home and business opportunities scams. People who are struggling financially may be particularly vulnerable to these types of scams. Genuine work from home schemes should tell you in writing exactly what you will be expected to do, how much you will be paid and how and when you will be paid.’

The Office of Fair Trading’s Consumer Direct is advising:

• If you reply to a job ad and are asked for money in advance, walk away.
• Before signing up to a work from home scheme, find out as much information as you can.
• Do a web search on the company and ask to speak to current workers.

If you have any concerns about a work-from-home ad phone Consumer Direct on 0845 04 05 06.

At the end of last year Wheatsheaf Trust and Portsmouth-based charity Motiv8 held a photography competition for the young people on their Youth Inclusion Programme and earlier this month the results were announced at the Omega Centre in Portsmouth.

The young people from Gosport and Portsmouth were given a disposable camera with instructions to take photos focusing on issues in the local community that they felt were of real importance.

Some insightful and thought-provoking images resulted with topics including bike theft, the good and bad aspects of CCTV, ASBO notices, school uniform, litter and the importance of recycling.

The winners collected their prizes at the award ceremony at the Omega Centre.

First prize, a Sony digital camera, went to Daniel Moresby-White for his collection of photos.

Second prize was awarded to Connie Todd and she received £50 worth of High Street vouchers, and £25 vouchers went to Chloe Bowell and Lauren Lane who tied for third prize for their portfolio of photos.

Daniel Moresby-White said, ‘I enjoyed taking part. It was something different to do and I definitely want to do a lot more photography.’

Wheatsheaf Project Manager Michelle Power said, ‘the photography competition has been a really good opportunity for these young people to consider issues that matter to them in their local area.’

Wheatsheaf Trust runs the Youth Inclusion programme in partnership with Motiv8 in the Portsmouth and Gosport areas of Hampshire. The programme, funded by the Department of Work and Pension’s Youth Sector Development Fund, works to engage young people at risk of anti-social behaviour in positive activity and to help them progress and move into education, training or employment.

For more information about the programme contact Michelle at Wheatsheaf on 023 8023 7662 or see our Youth page.

The photo at the top shows Dan receiving his prize. 

         Connie

         Chloe