The Better Business Bureau is warning Western New Yorkers about work-from-home scams that are targeting you.
The Olean Police have received complaints from people who have posted resumes on internet job sites, including indeed.com.
They were contacted with opportunities with "re-packaging companies."
Duties include receiving packages and mailing them to a foreign address on behalf of a client, using postage-paid ailing labels provided via e-mail. United States Postal Services say these reshipping companies are scams.
It's merchandise bought with stolen credit cards and scammers wants you to help send it to them. Usually the check or postal money order they send the "employee" are counterfeits.
The Better Business Bureau warns you to be suspicious of any offers that:
* require you to pay $100 or more upfront.
* require you to purchase expensive books, DVDs or other materials.
* promise you'll easily earn thousands of dollars per month.
* show photos of smiling people with their paychecks.
* send you a large check in the mail, typically around $2,000, before you start working and tell you to cash it (this is the classic fake-check scam).
Some legitimate job boards will have a small sign-up fee (such as FlexJobs), but don't require any more.
However, there are legitimate work-from-home jobs there are out there. If you're interested in this work-from-home lifestyle, how do you find a legitimate company that will let you do it? An online search will quickly turn up scams, from companies that just want your money.
You can start with a jobs consolidator, like Ann Poirier's FlexJobs.com or Sykes.com.
Or check the employment website of major companies you'd like to work for.
Humana spokeswoman Kate Marks says home based work saves the company millions, and makes for happier employees.
9 best home-based jobs
Forbes Magazine and FlexJobs recently listed companies offering the most home based jobs for 2017.
The top 9:
* Appen
* LiveOps
* Amazon
* Teletech
* VIPKID
* LanguageLine Solutions
* Working Solutions
* Kelly Services
* Sutherland Global Services
In addition, health insurers are now among the most remote-friendly employers. Among them:
* UnitedHealth Group
* Aetna
* Humana
Finally, multi-level marketing companies such as Avon, Pampered Chef, Pure Romance, Scentsy, Mary Kay and LuLaRoe offer legitimate ways to earn money as well.
