Employment Scams
Who’s the target?
Anyone seeking employment
How does it happen?
Scammers have become adept at posting convincing job descriptions on legitimate employment sites that may appear right next to legitimate job offers. So, these scams usually begin with a job listing online or on social media. The job could be anything from drop-shipping products to multi-level marketing and are most often advertised as work from home positions that require minimal hours and effort. Some phrases that scammers use to make these jobs seem irresistible are, “be your own boss, set your own hours, start your own business.”
Once you are accepted for a scam job, your new “employer” will tell you that they need you to provide them with your credit card or bank account information to pay for training, certifications, or orientation kits and materials. They’ll use your financial information to overcharge you without your permission, and never send your promised materials. Sometimes, they will claim that they are sending you a check for these start-up costs. Once you receive the check and deposit it, the “employer” will claim they overpaid you and need you to send them money back. You’ll send them your legitimate funds, meanwhile, their check has bounced and now you need to pay those funds back to your bank as well.
Ultimately, these scammers are not looking to offer you employment, they are looking to steal from you. Whether by stealing your money or your personal information, they are preying on your need for employment to take advantage of you. Do your research, talk to friends and family, and never send money to someone for the promise of a job offer, anyone asking you to do that is a scammer.
Red flags:
- The promises being made in the job offer seem too good to be true
- The employer is requesting your financial information or other forms of payment for upfront costs
- The employer does not have a verifiable address or physical office location
How can we stay safe?
- Search online for the name of the company and the word “scam.” Complaints you find can tip you off that the company is not legitimate.
- Remember that honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job. Never pay upfront for the promise of a job.
- Run it past someone you trust. Do friends and family find the job offer suspicious?
If you think you have been scammed:
- Contact your financial institutions as soon as possible
- If you’ve given the scammer any of your account passwords or PINs, change them immediately
- File a report on FTC.gov
- Contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline (if applicable)
BHCCU Resources
Angie Hoium