Before handing over any money, also make sure to know what information you're entitled to under the FTC's Business Opportunity Rule: visit  www.ftc.gov to learn more. 

Doing an online search of the company's name with the words "complaint," "reviews," or "scam" also can be a good way to hear what others have to say.

Scammers are reaching a new low.  They are sending bogus emails with the subject line "funeral notification." The message appears to be from a legitimate funeral home, offers condolences, and invites you to click on a link for more information about the upcoming "celebration of your friend's life service." But instead of sending you to the funeral home's website, the link sends you to a foreign domain where the scammers download malware to your computer.

If you receive an email about a friend or loved one's passing, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, says hit Delete. Don't click on the link. You may then want to contact the funeral home or family directly to verify the information.

• Keep your security software updated.
• Don't click on any links or open any attachments in emails unless you know who sent it and what it is.
• Download and install software only from websites you know and trust.
• Make sure your browser security setting is high enough to detect unauthorized downloads.
• Use a pop-up blocker and don't click on any links within pop-ups.
• Resist buying software in response to unexpected pop-up messages or emails, especially ads that claim to have scanned your computer and detected malware. That's a tactic scammers use to spread malware.
• Back up your data regularly.

Are you looking for a caregiver or nanny job? If you search for these jobs on websites such as care.com or sittercity.com, you should look out for nanny or caregiver scams.

Here's what they look like. Scammers send messages pretending to be interested in hiring you for a job as a nanny, caregiver, or pet sitter. But first, your new "employer" asks you - with a heartfelt plea - to accept and cash a check. The scammer tells you to keep part of the money, for you (and your labor), and send the rest to a supplier to pay for medical equipment and other special items required for the job. What really happens? The check you received is fake (and will bounce), the money you send from your account will go to the scammers, and you will owe the bank for the money you withdrew... and there's no job.

People who are legitimately looking for help will never ask you to pay for the promise of a job. They'll also never ask you to deposit a check and send the money to someone else. 

So, if you get this kind of offer, stop - and then tell the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov.