Here's why you should beware the "work at home" ads

Like I suspect just about anyone, I've always known that the "work at home" ads that you see on the Internet and through unsolicited emails looked shady, and that was enough for me.

But with the economy the way it is, work-at-home scams are expected to go way up, which is why recently the New York State Consumer Protection Board put out a warning explaining exactly why these ads are dangerous. It's chilling how things might play out for an innocent, desperate person who only wants to make some extra, honest cash.

And I'll just say right up front that not every employer who wants to hire you to work from home is dishonest. Obviously. So if you want to apply for an ad or an employer that promises money for working at home, keep your guard up, do any research you can on the company, and particularly if you get an ad through email, I'd just hit delete and not look back.