It is important to know with whom you are working, so taking a moment to investigate work at home job opportunities and companies will pay off in the long run. Don't just assume that fantastic claims equal legitimate work at home job opportunities. Many moms, desperate to work at home and care for their kids get taken by unscrupulous people offering work at home jobs. There are legitimate work at home opportunities out three. You just need to find them.

Here are some tips for evaluating opportunities and checking resources to determine legitimacy.

1. The legitimate work at home company is difficult to find with a simple internet search but it is a good place to start. Check the company name with http://complaints.com to see if any complaints have been filed.

2. Conduct a national and local search through the Better Business Bureau.

3. Contact your state Attorney General's office and local consumer protection agency for complaints. But be wary, the absence of complaints does not necessarily mean it is a legitimate work at home company. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their name or move to avoid detection.

4. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace. FTC also provides information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid fraud. Seek out the FTC to file a complaint, or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics.

5. You may also Google the word “forum” and the company name or product name.

6. Many moms use a variety of tools to communicate. You may find other information about the company in question or home business venture on a forum site. Be sure to visit the forum page of sites you visit.

7. Typically a legitimate work at home job provided by a company does not involve a down-payment or investment on your part.

Here are some suggestions for searching online.

• Visit general employment sites and work at home employment directories.

• If there is a phone number or email address test it out. You should get a person who is willing to speak with you. They should be professional and answer all your questions. If they are vague or the answers seem confusing it is probably too good to be true.

• The website on which the work at home employment opportunity appears should be easy to navigate with clear information and the links should work. For instance, if the link to email follow-up questions does not work – do more research.

• The earnings for the particular job functions should be realistic. Check the industry standards by researching your online or paper version of area newspapers for similar positions. Also use a salary data website. If your research reveals that actual salaries being paid are vastly different from the promises made in a pitch to you, beware. Do more research.

Questions to Ask the Employer

• What tasks will I perform? (Ask the program sponsor to list every step of the job.)

• Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission?

• Who will pay me?

• When will I get my first paycheck?

• What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What would I get for my money?

• At an advanced stage in the interview process, ask to speak with and employee. This is your opportunity to ask questions about that employee's experiences on the job and with the company overall. (some information taken from FTC)

Final Note- There should be a letter of engagement or offer letter when you start employment. The items addressed in the questioning should be documented in the letter.