Job Search Safety

Job seekers are frequent targets of fraud. Job scams prey on a person’s often desperate need for a job. Some fraudulent offers come with legitimate-looking contracts and documents. At the risk of sounding trite, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Legitimate companies don’t sell jobs or need your bank account to transfer their funds or assets. Check with your local Better Business Bureau or Attorney General if you have concerns about a company.

Red-flags

• You are asked for credit card, PayPal, or bank account numbers.
• The job is depositing checks or making any type of financial transaction using your bank account.
• Postings that require payment for materials or training.
• There isn’t a job interview process, at least a phone interview.
• The job posting appears to be from a known legitimate company, but the website URL or email address doesn’t match the real company.
• The job listing doesn’t seem to actually list duties but focuses on all the money you’ll make.
• You are asked to send a photocopy of your driver’s license or Social Security card to verify identity.
• You begin to receive unusual follow up emails or phone calls.

Additionally, if a job posting sounds unusual or is full of misspellings, or it offers a lot of money for an entry-level position, proceed with caution.

Common fraudulent job offers

• Work-at-home job lists that promise to put your application in front of companies looking to hire at-home workers.
• Reshipping packages (often stolen property.)
• Medical billing opportunities.
• Envelope stuffing schemes.
• Virtual assistants.
• Care givers.
• Secret shoppers.