Many women who want to stay at home and work fall victim to fraud. Don't be one of them. First, look for these danger signs that it's a scam. If you suspect a business of being a scam or you've already been a victim of one, contact the following authorities.

• The local government consumer affairs office and Better Business Bureau in your area. They can inform you if complaints have been lodged against the company you're dealing with.
• Your State Attorney General's Office or the Attorney General's Office in the state where the company is located.
• The local postmaster. The U.S. Postal Service investigates fraudulent mail practices.
• Report your experience to the advertising office of the publication, radio or television station that ran the ad you answered.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It cannot help resolve individual disputes, but it can take action if there is evidence of a pattern of deceptive or unfair practices. To register a complaint, write to Correspondence Branch, FTC, Washington, D.C. 20580; or call (202) 326-2222.
• The National Fraud Information Center. To get updates on the latest frauds, scams, or to report a fraud (or suspected fraud), write to The National Fraud Information Center, P.O. Box 65868, Washington, D.C. 20035, (800) 876-7060.
• The Better Business Bureau. Check their site for tips and local offices in your area.
• Netscams.com posts Internet scams and viruses.
• ScamBusters lists all kinds of scams, including urban legends and area code frauds.

You may be anxious -- even desperate -- to start a business, but take the time to thoroughly research your business ideas, and do not spend a single penny until you are satisfied with the credentials of the company you're dealing with. Better yet, invest in yourself and start a business based on your own expertise and strengths.