Tough economic times can lead to a reduction in hours worked, or lay-offs. This can force households to take on extra jobs.

The convenience of working at home or online can be very enticing, but it’s not without certain risks.

Housewife Sheila Mauer of Omaha was one such person. She was looking for online work that wouldn’t interfere with her housework.

“Just some part time work out of my house, and since I’m very good at data entry, I thought I’d give it a shot,” she said.

One offer caught her eye, claiming it was out of Omaha. But something about the ad made Sheila uncomfortable. The ad states you cannot make phone calls asking about the job, nor are would-be applicants to contact the job poster.

So how can you tell if a work-at-home ad is legitimate? The Federal Trade Commission offers some suggestions:

- Any legitimate work-at-home program will put the offer in writing.

- Ask if you will be paid a salary or by commission.

Finally, never send money to would-be employer. We work to get paid, not the other way around.

Sheila Mauer did apply for the data-entry job, but says, “They have to prove that I can trust them.”

With good reason, according to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 2.5 million Americans became victims of a work-at-home scam.