LANCASHIRE consumers who surf the 'Net are being warned to look out for sharks -- by Trading Standards.

Officers have revealed that of 64 homeworking offers -- many of which advertise on the Internet -- every one was bogus.

The homeworking schemes mislead consumers into paying money to join and provide no useful paid work.

The schemes promise well-paid work for mailing circulars or assembling craft goods -- and some require customers to hand over £200 to sign up.

Traditionally advertising in small ads, shop windows and on lamp posts, the schemes have turned to the Internet to catch people out.

In a recent world-wide exercise, the Office of Fair Trading revealed more than 100 misleading websites offered get-rich-quick opportunities. County Councillor Chris Cheetham, Lancashire's finance and general purposes sub-committee chairman, said: "We have been very concerned with bogus homeworking and get-rich-quick offers for many years and I know that local newspapers will not handle the advertisements.

"The Internet is opening other opportunities for tricksters from all over the world and consumers should not be tempted by these scams.

"The government is considering ways of safeguarding Internet consumers, but the international nature of the 'Net makes effective control difficult to implement.

"Lancashire consumers should contact the County Council's Trading Standards department on 0845 6001352 before paying any money to join these schemes."

A spokesman for the Office of Fair Trading added: "People should be very wary of claims that large amounts of money can be earned for little effort.

"If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."