Gimme some of that Google cash -- yeah right

You can make up to $943 a day posting Web links! Wow, what a deal.

That's among the crazy claims Web users are getting peppered with from a collection of outfits that claim they can get you a piece of Google's advertising booty. After all, if Google's collecting billions, why can't you collect thousands of it a week? For anyone who thinks that really makes sense, you could be in trouble.

So, how does it work?

Usually in ads on social networking sites or in e-mails, you're told that people are making a fortune working from home. And this is your opportunity. You then follow a link to a site that makes it look as though all this has been legitimized by coverage from major media outlets. There's nothing legit here.

You are asked to enroll in a program that will explain to you the secret of getting your share of the money. After you sign up you're told to provide credit card information for the nominal enrollment fee that provides you with your start-up package. What isn't immediately apparent, but is buried deep in the terms and conditions is the $78 (some other similar number) a month recurring charge you will get on your credit card.

So, who's really making money here? Not you. These are garden variety work from home schemes intended to separate you from your money, not make you money.

There are some threads on Google user forums on the issue, but WalletPop took the question to Google headquarters.

A Google spokesman acknowledged his company has had to deal these schemes. He wouldn't address the sites by name, but made it clear the company had nothing to do with them and in not so thinly veiled language urged folks to watch out.

"As Google is not affiliated with these sites, we can't comment on individual claims," he said. "However, we recommend that users exercise the same amount of caution they would when evaluating other types of get rich quick claims. Our legal team reviews them and takes appropriate action if necessary."

Google does have advertising programs for people with web sites, he said, such as Google AdSense and the Google Affiliate Network. But those are programs you participate in through Google and don't claim to instantly turn anyone into a millionaire.