The Better Business Bureau has received 1,500 complaints about dozens of websites that are using the Google name to scam people who want to make money from home.

Because the sites use the Google name and prominently display its logo, consumers often assume they are getting a job with Google when in fact they were getting taken in by yet another work-at-home scheme.

Two websites, Google Treasure Chest and Google Money Tree, quickly racked up 523 and 782 BBB complaints, respectively, before being called out by the Federal Trade Commission and state Attorneys General for misleading consumers.

The websites have been taken down. However, BBB has received complaints about many other work-at-home schemes using similar tactics, including Google Biz Kit, Google Cash, Google Money Profits, and Google Success Kit.

Before signing up for any work-at-home opportunity, BBB advises job hunters to:

• Review the business's BBB Reliability Report at bbb.org.

• Beware of any offer that guarantees a lot of money for little effort and no experience.

• Thoroughly read the website's terms and conditions; a free trial could cost you in the end.

• Be wary of work-at-home offers that use logos from Google, Twitter or other prominent online businesses.

• Research the website with Whois.net or a similar site for determining domain name ownership. If the site is anonymous or individually registered, beware.

For more advice, visit www.bbb.org.