Job scams continue to rise. You can take steps to prevent yourself from being a victim.
Here are some general anti-scam tips from the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-things-you-can-do-avoid-fraud
Warning signs
- Too good to be true
- Vague job requirements and job description
- Unprofessional emails - misspellings, grammar errors, punctuation errors, etc.
- Online interviews via messaging services
- Emails do not include contact information
- Search results do not add pp
- You are asked to provide confidential information
- Sending money or using a personal bank account
- They want you to pay for something - never pay anything for any job. They pay you, not the other way around.
- Your “gut” says it’s a scam - follow your instincts
Things you should never do
- Never give out personal information like your social security or bank account number over email or phone.
- Never take cashier’s checks or money orders as a form of payment.
Fake checks are common and the bank where you cash it will hold you
accountable. - Never cash a check that comes with “extra” money and do not buy gift cards and send bar codes at an employer's request. Scammers send checks
that require you to deposit a check at your bank, withdraw the “extra”
money as cash, and then deposit that cash elsewhere. The check will bounce and you will be held accountable. - Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram or any other service. Anyone who asks you to wire money is a scammer.
- Never apply for jobs listed by someone far away or in another country.
- Never agree to a background check unless you have met the employer in person or you have an official job offer.
- Never apply for a job that is emailed to you out of the blue
- Never take a job with any employer wh says/thinks they are doing you a favor.
Things you should always do
- Be skeptical. If a job is offering a lot of money for very little work, it could be a scammer trying to get personal information from you.
- Research the employer. Do they have a reputable website or professional references? Is the job listing you want to apply for also on their main career page? Note: work-study jobs may not be advertised on employer websites.
- Meet face-to-face with a potential employer. An in-person interview or informal chat over coffee will help you determine the employer’s intentions.
- Be sure to choose a public place to meet, tell someone where you are going, and bring your cell phone, just in case.
- Trust your instincts. If a job sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam.
An example of a Job Scam
Someone applies for an online data entry job posted by a scammer from out-of-state. When payday rolls around, the scammer tells the student they will receive a cashier’s check, however, the value of the check will be more than what the student has earned. The scammer offers to
“trust” the student and asks that they repay the difference with a wire transfer. The student cashes the cashier’s check and then wires the scammer the balance. Even though the bank cashes the check, it is later discovered to be a fake and does not clear. The student now owes the bank the full value of the check.
“trust” the student and asks that they repay the difference with a wire transfer. The student cashes the cashier’s check and then wires the scammer the balance. Even though the bank cashes the check, it is later discovered to be a fake and does not clear. The student now owes the bank the full value of the check.
Another example
You are conditionally hired but are asked to pay a fee and "prove" you can do the job before they officially hire you.
Other examples can be found here: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0243-job-scams
If you encounter a scam, please report it. Karma is a bitch.
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt