Employment Scams

People are always looking for a little extra income. Scam artists are no different, hoping to capitalize on people who have lost jobs or are just trying to make ends meet.

Most Common Types of Employment Scams

Work-at-Home Scams

• Typically found in Craigslist ads and classifieds
• Usually sound too good to be true
• Will often require up-front costs for training, supplies or equipment to perform the job – which may never pay off
• Might pay with a counterfeit check or stolen bank account
• Will sometimes direct you to wire money for the purchase of home office furniture, supplies or other employment-related purposes

Bogus Placement Firms

• Typically offer appealing prospects to the unemployed
• Often misrepresent their services or promote ads for jobs that don’t exist
• Tend to charge excessive fees in advance for information that is free or for work that does not produce results
• Will usually guarantee employment
• Might be reluctant to answer your questions
• Will use high-pressure sales tactics to get your business
• Will try to rush you into signing a contract

Premature Credit Checks

• Typically post fake “help wanted” ads to lure you into offering sensitive personal information
• Often request your social security or bank account number, or a copy of your credit report, before you have even been interviewed