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Avoiding being a victim of a job scam


2 user ratings
2020-08-21 18:39:39
blscott
Job Hunting

 - archive -- 
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.

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





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