Are you worried that the job you’re thinking about applying for could be a scam? What’s the best way to avoid fake job listings and getting scammed by phony employers when you are job searching?
The Better Business Bureau reports that job scams are rising and are the riskiest scam in terms of prevalence, the likelihood of losing money, and the amount of money you can lose. About 14 million people are exposed to job scams every year, and victims lose more than $2 billion per year.
Here’s what you need to know about the different types of job scams, how to avoid getting taken advantage of, and what to do if you’ve been scammed.
Types of Job Scams
How can you get scammed during a job search? Here are some examples of job scams:
- Direct deposit information required (before you’re hired)
- Email hiring scams
- Fake job application
- Fake recruiter (they may not even work for the company they say they are representing)
- Package forwarding scams
- Pay for background check
- Pay for credit report
- Pay for equipment to do the job
- Pay for office supplies
- Pay for a start-up kit
- Pay for software
- Pay for training
- Pay for training materials
- Pay to sign-up with a company
- Text or chat message hiring scams
- Trial employment scam (company collects your personal information, but there isn’t a job)
- Unemployment scams
- You’re hired scam (company collects your personal information, but the job is fake)
- Wire money scams
Bank of America reports on new scams to be sure to avoid, including scammers that pretend they are legimate companies and ask you to download an app or provide access to your computer. Here’s how to avoid this and other common scams.
There are some jobs that are more likely to be scams than others. Here’s a list from FlexJobs of 15 common job search scams, with advice on how to protect yourself from them.
How To Avoid Getting Scammed
Here are some ways to tell if a job is a scam and to avoid getting scammed. Save yourself some time, aggravation, and money, and if you’re not sure if a job or company is legitimate check them out carefully before you apply.
Check Scam Lists
Check with organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to see if the company has been reported as a scammer. If the company is a fraud, another job seeker may have reported them.
Look for Red Flags
Visit the company’s website. Look for potential red flags indicating that the company is not what they seem. Does the site fit with how they describe the company? Is it secure? How professional does the site look? Is there contact information? Are jobs and career information posted on the site?
Check Out the Company
- Is the company name legitimate? Is this company name similar to that of another “real” organization? Sometimes, scammers change a letter or two in the website URL or the email address they are using to make it look legitimate.
- Does the company have a website? If the company doesn’t have a website, that’s a bad sign. Most legitimate businesses have a web presence, and at least some information should show up when you look for it online.
- Check the Google search results. Use Google to research the company. Search by the company name to see what information you can find. (If the company won’t give you a name, don’t bother applying.) Take it one step further and search by “company name scam” to see if you can find information about reported scams.
- Read the reviews. If you find a company that has been reported to be a scammer, read the reviews carefully to understand what the issue is and how the job seeker was taken advantage of.
Check the Job Details
If compensation isn’t listed in the job posting, try to find out if there’s a salary or if you’re paid on commission. Ask how much you’re paid, how often you are paid, and how you are paid. If the company doesn’t pay an hourly rate or a salary, carefully check out the details.
Does the Company Want Money?
Do not pay money—for anything. Legitimate employers don’t charge to hire you. Don’t pay for credit reports, background checks, start-up kits, software, supplies, technology, training, or any other tools or procedures. Don’t send money for work-at-home directories, advice on getting hired, company information, products, or services to get started, or for anything else related to a job.
Check the Company’s References
Ask for references if you’re not sure if the company is legitimate. Request a list, then contact the references to ask how the job is working out for them. If the company isn’t willing to provide references, don’t waste your time applying.
Don’t Expect to Get Rich Quick
Avoid listings that guarantee you wealth, financial success, or that will help you get rich fast. Stay clear of listings that offer you high income for working for a few hours a week. The chances of getting rich quickly online are slim to none.
Does It Sound too Good to Be True?
If it sounds too good to be true, you can be sure it is. Also, read any “offers” you get very carefully. With some scams, it can be hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Read the fine print and never share your personal information until you’re sure about a company.
Spot and Report Scams on Job Sites
Some of the major sites have advice on how to avoid scams on their platforms. If you’re concerned about a job posting you’ve found, here’s how to check it out.
- Craigslist: Avoiding Scams
- Facebook: How to Spot and Avoid Scams on Facebook and Instagram
- Fiverr: Trust and Safety
- Glassdoor: Fraudulent Job Postings
- Indeed: Guidelines for Safe Job Search
- LinkedIn: Recognize and Report Scams
- Monster Security Center
- Staying Safe on Upwork
- Twitter Financial Scam Policy
How To Report a Scam
Have you become a victim of a scam? There are several ways to report a job scam, including:
- The FTC
- Your state attorney general
- The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/ktf9Nuo
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