Job Scams

Employment scams refers to any situation where an individual or organization mispresents a job opportunity to deceive job seekers.

Here are some tips to help you avoid falling for employment scams:

Research the company: Before applying for a job, research the company or organization thoroughly. Look for reviews, news articles and other information that can help you verify that the job is legitimate. Search for the correct company address and phone number to verify that it matches the information given. Call the company using a phone number found by an outside resource to verify your point of contact and job opportunity are legitimate. If a company is only wanting to communicate through text and email, there is an issue.

Be wary of unsolicited job offers: If you receive an unsolicited job offer via email or social media, be cautious. Research the company and job opportunity thoroughly before responding.

Don’t pay for job opportunities: Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay for a job opportunity. If a job posting or recruiter asks you to pay money for job placement or training, it’s likely a scam. A sign of fraud is if a company offers to send a check for supplies but then asks for the employee to send any remaining funds back after purchases.

Beware of unrealistic job descriptions: If a job posting seems too good to be true (e.g. high pay for little work), it probably is. Be wary of job postings that promise unrealistic job opportunities.

Protect your personal information: Never provide personal information (such as your social security number or banking information) to a job recruiter or company until you have verified their legitimacy.

Overall, the best way to avoid employment scams is to be cautious, do your research and trust your instincts. If something seems off about a job opportunity, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and pass on the opportunity.

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Article by Kara Robinson, TFCU Financial Educator