Northeast Wisconsin -
The offers are everywhere and can be tempting--promises that you can make a lot of money while working at home.
A warning from U.S. Postal inspectors urges you to beware of rip-off artists claiming they'll pay you big bucks.
Authorities got to the bottom of one stuffing envelope scam and found thousands of victims.
The scammer ran advertisements asking victims if they wanted to make $35,000 a-week. But the catch: first you had to pay $42 upfront for information on how to get started.
Postal inspectors found the con artists by sending in $42 and tracing the money.
In one case alone, there were 3,000 victims and almost $400,000 in losses.
"You can't make $35,000 for putting a letter in an envelope and putting it in the mail. It's impossible," Marc Ewing, US Postal Inspector warns.
Inspectors say victims were usually desperate.
"A lot of the victims I spoke with were down on their luck out of a job they are trying to make money," Ewing said.
If you're tempted by a "work at home" business opportunity, ask these questions:
- Who will pay me?
- What work will I have to perform?
- What is the total cost of the program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees?
The bottom line, beware of any business offer that promises "get rich quick."
If you know about problems that might put you, your family or neighbors at risk, you can contact us at target2@wbay.com. It may be our next story.
