The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ordered a company offering data entry jobs working from home to stop using an advert that contained several inaccuracies and omissions.

A regional press ad placed by Net Homeworkers, of Washington, Tyne & Wear, read 'Data Entry Clerk/Typist Earn £150-£300 per week typing data online ... Excellent work opportunity & the chance to earn money. To apply, please ring 0845 ... (local call rate)'.

But a prospective worker complained to the ASA. The complainant said the advert had not made it clear that he was required to pay a £25 non-refundable fee before receiving information. The ASA agreed with the complainant. The ASA told Recruiter it then looked into other issues with the advert. It ruled that the advert failed to make it clear that the positions were self-employed, not salaried.

Further, Net Homeworkers said the earnings figures were based on people doing the job. But the ASA said this was "anecdotal" and the firm could not support the claim. The ASA also said the advert should have contained the firm's full name and address, which it failed to do.

Net Homeworkers told the ASA that the advert had not included its postal address as it is an internet-based company and had not wanted to receive post. The firm said its address was readily available to anyone who wanted it.

Net Homeworkers was not available for comment.