There are many legitimate job opportunities that allow individuals to work from home, but with every one legitimate opportunity there are probably at least 10 scams. It's important for anyone looking for a job where they can work from home to be able to weed through the scams to find the hidden gems. Generally, if a job offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Following are three examples from job postings that I found simply by searching with the keywords "part time" on a reputable online job board to give you an idea of what to look for and what to avoid.

Rule #1: If the salary doesn't jive with the work required from the position, it's probably a scam.

"$1,000 to $3,000 per week..."

This was the title of one of the too good to be true job postings I found in my search. This posting sends up a red flag immediately. Any job that has to lead with the amazing income potential the opportunity offers is probably not legitimate. First, making $1,000 - $3,000 is equivalent to making $52,000-$156,000 per year. If your unsure as to whether or not the income potential seems too high, think about the salary in annual terms. Would the salary being advertised ever be offered from a well-known company or at a brick and mortar location for the same job?

Rule #2: If the job requires you to pay a fee, it's probably a scam.

"You keep 100% of the commision, our company only makes money from the monthly charge of $30 a month for use of their corporate website."

This sentence (with the incorrect use of pronouns) appeared in a job posting touting the phenomenal earning potential people can enjoy with just a small $30 monthly fee. Yes, the $30 is a fee, and if you read my article called Beware of Work-from-Home Job Posting Scams on Craigslist, you already know that fee = scam most of the time. In cases like this ad, even if the salary seems to match the job requirements, the fee attached to the position (in this instance, a monthly fee) should send up the red flag and tell you to run the other way. Of course, some legitimate job opportuntities might require a fee, so be diligent and research an opportunity that requires a fee before you pay anything. They should be paying you, not the other way around.

Rule #3: If the job posting gives the hard sell, it's probably a scam.

"We are offering a work at home opportunity for like minded people who are serious about tranforming their personal and financial lives. The commissions and overrides are incredible, yet it's the team atomosphere and our nature to help each other that makes this quite a special place to nurture your own Business."

This example (with the grammatical errors) appeared in a job posting for a company that is well known within the work-from-home community as a scam, however, the novice may not be familiar with the company name. The opportunity is too good to be true not only in the earning potential ("$3,000+ per month") but also in its promise to change your life and its promise of incredible commissions. Would a legitimate job posting tout the position as life changing? Typically, legitimate job postings are very factual. If a posting is trying to sell you on the job using strong sales language, it's probably safe to assume it's a scam.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but these rules are simply meant to help you identify scams. Use your best judgment and research opportunities before you send personal information to a prospective employer. Remember, if a job opportunity is too good to be true, it probably is. Don't let promises of working from home, short hours and high earning potential cloud your judgment. Unfortunately, scammers prey on people looking to work from home, and they do so very successfully. Educate yourself, and familiarize yourself with typical scams. Don't be the next victim.