Job Scams Are Growing. Here’s How To Avoid Them
You’ve likely heard the news: job scams are on the rise, and many hard-working people looking for good, honest jobs are being ripped off. The problem is that online job searches and the rise of remote work opportunities make it easy for scammers to pose as real employers. These scams can take many forms, from offering false job opportunities to publishing fake websites and blogs.
Scammers have been in overdrive since the pandemic, taking advantage of the new digital landscape in business, employment, and more. So far in 2023, workers have lost $337.8 million to job scammers, with the median loss being around $6,000.
Recognizing An Employment Scam
At E&ES, you can work with a Career Coach to find quality job listings from real employers. You can even get access to hands-on training so that the job you really want becomes more accessible to you. If you’re looking for a job today, here are a few of the most commonly reported job scams and how to avoid them.
Job placement service scams involve fake temp agencies or headhunters charging a fee for access to job listings. Job placement services are free at workforce agencies like E&ES’ American Job Centers.
Mystery Shopper scams, where you are asked to pay for certifications or job listings. Anyone who wants you to pay to get a job is likely a scammer.
A nanny, caregiver, or virtual assistant job scam often involves being contacted by someone in your area who offers you work and sends you a check. They’ll tell you to send the remaining money from the check back after you’ve purchased supplies, only to find out that the check will bounce and you’ll never receive the supplies.
A reshipping scam is when your “job” includes repackaging and reshipping products sent to your home.
Government and postal scam jobs involve a fee for access to government or postal jobs. Information about job openings with the government or at a post office is always free and available to all.
Avoiding An Employment Scam
Research the company before accepting a position. Do a quick online search and see what shows up. Scammers can easily create a website, so look beyond the company’s website. Check customer reviews as well as employer reviews. Do a search for the company plus the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint” to see what others have to say about their experience.
Research the people who have contacted you. Look closely at contact details, such as email address, LinkedIn profile, or website bios. A business email address will have the company’s URL in the address with no additional numbers or letters. For example, when you receive an email from an E&ES Career Coach or other staff member, the email address will be “john.smith@eesforjobs.com.” You won’t see “john.smith.eesforjobs@gmail.com“, or “john.smith@ees4jobs,” or any other variation of the website’s URL, which is www.eesforjobs.com.
Furthermore, check their LinkedIn profile and the company’s website to verify that they are legitimately connected to the company.
Don’t pay for your job. An honest employer will never send you a check to deposit into your personal account, pay you in gift cards or cashiers’ checks, or ask you to purchase equipment.
Report suspected scams right away. Scammers don’t just steal money from unsuspecting workers; they steal identities. The following places can assist you if you suspect that you have been contacted by a scammer. In many cases, you can report a scam with a legitimate business name directly to the business.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or call 877-FTC-Help.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Report the scam to the source where the fraud was initially encountered
ZipRecruiter – click the “Report Job” link at the bottom of the listing or send an email to trustandsafety@ziprecruiter.com.
