What are the work-at-home jobs that really work?

With the economy as bad as its been in 25 years, and new layoffs every day, more and more of us would love to find a work-at-home job that really works.

You can find A LOT of information on the web about this type of job, but not all of it is reputable.

Here's how to find one that's worth pursuing, and is not just another scam waiting to take your money.

A Work-at-Home Success Story

Sharon looks like any other customer service representative.

But there's one big exception. She handles claims for a major insurer in a spare bedroom in her house, earning almost $10 an hour working hours of her choosing.

Sharon says, "I love working from home. It gives you extra time, I can sleep in, I dont have to fight traffic."

She had worked in a busy call center until she got the chance to work part time in her own home, courtesy the marketing company Convergys.

Helena Lawson of Convergys explains, "it's a very fast growing segment for us, that we are growing. And we anticipate doubling or tripling in the next year or so."

In these times of corporate cutbacks, thats refreshing news.

Companies like Convergys say that thanks to internet phone systems, they can save money by farming out call center work to home based workers.

Legitimate Work-at-Home Companies

Some of the legitimate companies offering home based call center work include:

Convergys
Arise
Alpine Access
Working Solutions
Speak-Write
You can apply online, at no cost.

Here are two other great sites that provide other, non-call center work-at-home ideas: Mom-Mom and Work at Home Mom.

In addition, MSN has a report about 4 real jobs that work from home

Warning: While these two sites offer great ideas, we have received complaints in the past about some of the ads appearing on those sites. Some of the ads on these two Mom sites may be for bogus operations, like those described below. Use their ideas, but beware what you click on.

How to Avoid Scams

Not paying an application fee is key, because you'll still find plenty of ads for bogus "refund processing" jobs, "post office" and "government" jobs that will leave you disappointed and your wallet lighter.

The Better Business Bureau says be suspicious of at-home jobs that charge a fee up front including:

Refund Processing
Home Mailing
Envelope Stuffing
Postal or Government jobs for an upfront fee
Almost anything you receive in an e-mail or see on a telephone pole

Sharon's been there, done that, and now knows the difference. She says, "if anyone asks you for any money to work at home...that's definitely a thing to watch out for."

Two more ways to make sure a work at home website is legitimate:

It should list some job requirements, such as a high speed internet line, or a computer with a minimum operating speed. And it should be listed on the Better Business Bureaus website: If it's not there, ask why not, and be suspicious.

I can't stress this enough: Be careful of any work at home job that requires money up front for a "starter kit." Some legitimate companies will charge an application fee, but it's well along in the process. You know what you are getting into before you have to decide whether to pay the fee. But never pay money before you even know if the jobs are legitimate.

Scam artists are getting rich selling $89 "information kits" that give worthless information.

Want to work from home? Check out more companies