When I first saw the ad I phoned Meridian through their answer machine. They then telephoned me to confirm that I was interested and would receive the paperwork in a few days (actually took just over a week). The paperwork they sent was detailed, glossy and impressive. I followed their instructions and sent the Postal Order (their suggestion, as it would make clearance faster).

The glossy stuff was instrumental in our decision along with their call to check that I was "genuinely interested". I waited the 9 - 10 days and called Meridian with my password, received apologies that something was lost in the post, then subsequently heard from Caltech. I may be naive but when you see the "glossy" and see the Caltech name you automatically assume it must be genuine. I mean every body has heard of Caltech.

To Whom It May Concern: I find myself writing to you before I take further steps, regarding your sign up for home workers to earn extra cash. I sent my money via PO to speed the operation up, as requested, your promise of 9 days for first batch of work to arrive. I followed all your instructions, sent PO on the 29th Sept 99 followed the instruction to e-mail and fax the American company including my bank details, and not a word. This is my second letter requesting help as to what is actually going on, I therefore ask that you reply to me within 7 days otherwise you leave me no option but to take my case to Watchdog, The Office of Fair Trading etc and to e-mail my thoughts across the Net, naming your Company as just another home worker rip-off merchant. As always this letter is saved to disc with all the other relevant details of this, as yet, fruitless transaction and as you see this has been sent recorded delivery. My £35.00 was sent also by recorded delivery #: RW 4491 8932 5GB, the PO. #’s 0721 439264, 0721 439465, and 5448 554572. As you see I keep all the relevant details in case I have to follow up and need proof, which I have. If you do not respond to me within 7 days by any of the above options, I shall instruct my solicitor to pursue you with all means at his disposal. I am fed up being ripped off and I consider this as THEFT unless a VERY reasonable excuse is forthcoming. Kath J Wood.

Their website is http://caltech.findhere.com - and then guess what you wait and wait. I have faxed again, informed them that I was not happy, but never had a reply.

I have tried various newspapers, especially the ones that have advertisements very like the ones I have applied for, to let them know of the scams and rip offs but they never reply either. I tried Watchdog [a UK consumer affairs TV programme], again nothing, even tried the Mark Thomas Project [a UK journalist with his own agitprop TV programme] and either he or one of his staff replied. I even wrote to teletext and had my letter on screen and quite a few wrote to me all wanting to work from home, and telling me of their rip offs.

At the Office of Fair Trading someone tracked down Meridian, the contact in the UK, but they had just closed shop and moved on to start over again. Apparently they are doing nothing wrong by robbing and cheating people.

I still have not given up on the idea of working from home, its something I dearly would love to do.

Note from the Editor:
There is a well known and respected software company in the States called CalTech. They have their own web address and have nothing to do with this homeworking scam.