Scammers lurk behind fishy job ads

You’ve probably seen the ads on your Facebook page or in your junk email folder. They say things like, "My aunt made thousands working from home!!! Click here to find out how!" It’s tough to tell whether any work-from-home job opportunities are actually real.

So how can you tell which ads to believe? Many of the offers found online ask applicants to pay for training, equipment or a membership fee. Eric Olsen, an investigator with the Hillsborough County, Fla., Consumer Protection Agency, says you shouldn’t have to pay to get a job.

"Nine times out of 10, someone asking you to pay them money for a service that you’re going to do for them is usually a scam," Olsen said.

And be suspicious of any promises of big money for simple tasks, like stuffing envelopes or clicking on websites.

TOTAL RECALL

About 578,000 Ryobi P113 dual chemistry battery chargers for portable power tool batteries have been recalled in the U.S. Battery chargers included in this recall are green and gray and have "Ryobi" in white letters on the front. The model number and date code are on the bottom of the charger. Model P113 chargers with year/week (YY/WW) date codes between 0731-0852, without a 9-digit part number, are included in the recall. They were sold from September 2007 to December 2009. The chargers can malfunction, putting users at risk of burns and fires.

Call One World Technologies at 800-597-9624 or visit www.ryobitools.com.