Get Firsthand Information

Contact friends and neighbors who do work at home. and ask if the job you're considering sounds too good to be true. If you're asked to sell an item, the Better Business Bureau recommends talking with people who handle similar products. If you have a specialized skill, visit job boards dedicated to your trade. Also, don't bypass more traditional information sources -- like alumni associations and professional trade organizations -- that can provide advice and referrals.

Don't Pay for Work

Never pay for a job or a promise to find one. The more cash you're asked to pay upfront, the more likely you're dealing with a scammer, says Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson. Be especially wary of online ads that ask you to fill out forms to access a job opportunity. Otherwise, you risk disclosing sensitive financial data to fraudsters who'll run up recurring charges on your credit card.

Approach Established Companies

Seek out employers with a good reputation and an established industry track record. Start by consulting venues like the Retirement Jobs website for senior citizen job opportunities, advises "Fortune" magazine contributor Anne Fisher in her September 2016 article, "Yes, Legitimate Work-at-Home Jobs Do Exist." Also, look for large companies specializing in phone - and computer-based jobs, like graphic design work or customer service inquiries, that are normally done off-site. To find them, consult job boards, magazines, organizations and websites for home-based employees.