Here is RULE ONE - NEVER PAY FOR A JOB!
Because so much of what is advertised on the internet as "Work From Home" are "Business Opportunities", and not "Jobs", we need to define the difference:
A "Job" involves an employment contract (usually verbal) between an employer and employee (who works specifically for that employer). Pay is by the hour worked or by the amount of work produced or sold. The last part of this sentence can confuse because there is a very subtle difference between an employee and an independent contractor, both working for the same employer. The difference is that the independent contractor does not work under the direct supervision of the employer, gets paid only for satisfactory work produced or goods sold, and provides all his or her own tools & equipment needed to do the job. The independent contractor is not covered by workers compensation insurance, must have their own insurance, and does not receive any benefits.
A "Business Opportunity" has no employment contract. When you agree to provide services, produce or sell goods for a specific company, you become an independent business person (like an independent contractor). You receive payment only after the service is provided, the goods produced or sold.
The vast majority of "Work from Home" advertisements are Business Opportunities, not Jobs.
Further, a great many - if not most - of these advertisements are scams, or at best an opportunity where most people will not succeed in ever making any money (or, certainly not much money).
FINDING A WORK FROM HOME JOB IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
If you are currently employed, ask your employer if all, or part of, your job could be completed from home.
Look in the classifieds for "Telecommuting Jobs." This is the term applied to working from home. You will be probably be expected to report in daily for regular or special assignments, be available to communicate with your employer on short notice, and spend one or more days at the place of business.
Ask your friends if their employer might have any telecommuting jobs.
Enter a search for "work from home jobs" into your browser - narrow search results to your local area - BUT, be very careful to apply all the information that you have read above to any responses to your query. Remember Rule One - Never Pay for a "Job".
FINDING A WORK FROM HOME JOB ON THE INTERNET
Read (carefully) the Federal Trade Commission article on "Work at Home Schemes." www.ftc.gov, go to "Consumer Protection" and then type in "work from home schemes" in the search box in the upper right of the Consumer Protection page.
Read Ezine Article "Home Business - Legitimate Or Otherwise".
Enter a search for "Telecommuting" or "work from home jobs" into your browser - narrow search results to your local area - BUT, be very careful to apply all the information that you have read above to any responses to your query. Remember Rule One - Never Pay for a "Job".
In Conclusion - while there are telecommuting "Jobs" out there - there are not many. Most offers cross the line to become an "Independent Contractor" or "Business Opportunity". Remember a "job' has an actual (verbal or written) contract, and an employer/employee relationship. Don't mistake one for the other and get caught in a relationship you will regret.