With so many business opportunity seekers online due to the current poor job market, Internet scammers are running rampant. This makes it difficult to find legitimate home based business resources to help you start or promote a business. When you read many money making opportunities, you might wonder, "Is this really true or not?" Luckily, there are some quick steps you can take to ensure you're getting reliable information, without being at risk of a scam.

Ask for Referrals

What has worked for off-line businesses for centuries still works in the new Internet age. Referrals from friends and business acquaintances can provide peace of mind when seeking business opportunities or promotional resources. If you already own a home business, friends can point you to reliable home based business resources for promoting your business, obtaining well-written content and/or web design services, adding new products, etc. Think of folks you can trust on the Web...perhaps a client, advertising agent, SEO marketer, product distributor, e-zine owner or software developer. There are likely several people you can trust to point you in the right direction.

Use the Power of the Search

Often times a simple, two-second search in the search engines using a company or individual's name and certain keywords can provide a wealth of information. If a company has been around any length of time and others have used the services, you'd better believe there's someone out there on the Web talking about it - good or bad! If considering a company that promises you can make money at home and requires a monetary investment, type in the company's name along with the word "scam." This will reveal whether or not others consider it to be a scam.

**A note of advice: Don't jump to conclusions based on one person's opinion. Sometimes one or two people might have a bad experience with a company, but this doesn't mean it's a scam. Check what others are saying too so you can get a complete picture.

Mailing Lists

Mailing lists for e-mail or direct mail can be extremely valuable in promoting your business. For example, if you want to start an MLM business, look for specific MLM sales leads. These are home based business resources that can pay off in a hurry if you choose the right service. Be sure the mailing list is up to date and targeted to your desired audience of potential buyers. For example, MLM sales leads should consist of those wanting to know how to start a home business. E-mail lists should be double opt-in, meaning the customer had to sign on and then confirm the subscription. This will protect you from violating CAN-SPAM laws. Some companies promise a good mailing list, but really sell you outdated or duplicate information. Look for a reputable company and research it carefully before buying a mailing list.

Use Business Rating Services

Services such as Better Business Bureau and other rating or comparison resources can help you determine whether a company is trustworthy. Companies or websites that are fairly new might not be listed with BBB, but might be listed elsewhere. You can also use certain Google or Yahoo inquiries to find out which other sites are linked to the business resource you're considering. This can give you some idea of the company's credibility (if other reputable companies have linked to the site).

Use these ideas to find trustworthy home based business resources. Whether you want to start a home business or step up promotions on your existing site, be sure to take precautions while seeking online resources.