Hi! I am currently working from home doing data entry and editing. I got this job after I joined a service called SOHOjobs.org - They've been great. They offer a lot of really good and legit job leads that I've never seen posted anywhere else.
You are right though, there are many data entry scams on the Internet so be careful. Most of the ads on Monster and Careerbuilder are scams so avoid them. There are very few companies that offer real opportunities but they DO exist so don't give up.
If you could also expand your interests to include customer service, phone support, virtual assisting and content production I think that you would find it much easier to get hired quickly. (I also see many work at home jobs for recruiter trainees, loan trainees and sales people).
I visited the SOHOjobs.org site for you and compiled this list. Please keep in mind that this is only ONE PAGE out of 12 that SOHOjobs published this week of available jobs so do not get discouraged if you do not see something right away. There are many others.
As for data entry - there is much competition for these jobs so make sure that you have a perfect resume and good references. Try to get some experience doing data entry from home if you can (even if you work on a short term project for free just to get the reference).
I hope this helps. I love working from home so I really hope it works out for you too!
Transcriptionits and Word Processors
http://www.alicedarling.com/about/employment.html Transcribers
http://www.productiontranscripts.com/jobs.php Word Processors
http://www.nettranscripts.com/nt_employment.htm Graphic Designers and Web Programmers
http://www.freeworldu.org/Public/opportunities.htm General, Legal & Medical Transcriptionists
http://www.ats-ascott.com/employment.htm Transcriptionists
http://www.oracleti.com/transcriptionist.htm 2 VA's needed Immediately
www.teamdoubleclick.com
Virtual Assistants
http://www.concreterose.net/ Virtual Assistants
http://www.virtualofficetemps.com A small list of hiring employers:
ACD Direct (acddirect.com)
Alpine Access (alpineaccess.com)
Arise Virtual Solutions (arise.com)
ARO (callcenteroptions.com)
Axion (www.axiondata.com/)
Brighten Communications (brightenemployment.com)
Blue Zebra Appointment Setting (www.Bluezebrausa.com )
Cloud10 ( cloud10corp.com/)
GE Call Centers (gecallcentercareers.com/)
Key For Cash (keyforcash.com/)
OnPoint @Home (onpointathome.com)
Progressive Business Publications (workforpbp.com/)
TDEC (tdec.com/)
TeleReach (telereachjobs.com/)
VeraFast (www.verafast.com/ )
VIPdesk (vipdesk.com)
VOT (virtualassistantjobs.com/)
West (www.west.com )
Westat (westat.com/)
West At Home (workathomeagent.com)
Working Solutions (workingsolutions.com)
Online Content
There is no experience required. 100?ork from home. You will do research, collect information and write very short articles, essays, product reviews, how-to guides, and other items. You can select what you would like to research and write. Most subjects will be accepted. Anyone can do this and earn great money! The more you write, the more you will earn. Set your own hours and work as much or as little as you like. Visit
http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-280509-10469058 for more information.
I believe that SOHO also posts some free stuff on their website but I am not sure because I am a paid member so I just login to the paid member area to access the new jobs that are posted two or three times per week.