Many people seek ways to earn extra money after the holidays. Web sites promoting huge money-making potential for working from home often seem like the answer. Unfortunately, most work-at-home opportunities don’t deliver what they promise.

The Better Business Bureau has received more than 1,500 complaints about dozens of Web sites using the Google name to scam people wanting to make money from home. Because the sites often use the Google name and prominently display its familiar logo, people often assume they’re getting jobs with Google when, in fact, they were being taken.

While the schemes go by many names and are found on various Web sites, the complaints to the BBB tell a similar story. Complainants state they signed up online to receive free CD trials or access to information that would show them how to make money from home using Google. People had to provide credit or debit card numbers to cover shipping, which is typically only a few dollars.

People say they were billed before trials ended, never received CDs and continued to be billed after they cancelled.

Before signing up for work-at-home opportunities, the BBB advises you to:

• Check companies out by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.

• Beware of offers guaranteeing a lot of money for little effort and no experience.

• Thoroughly read the Web site’s terms and conditions.

• Be wary of work-at-home offers using logos from Google, Twitter or other prominent online businesses. Just because Google is in the name, it doesn’t mean the business is affiliated with Google.

• Research the Web site with Whois.net or a similar site to determine domain name ownership. If the site is anonymous or individually registered, beware.

While many legitimate home-based employment opportunities exist, there are many scams. Do business with companies you can trust.