Finding a new job is difficult enough, let alone having to filter through fraudulent employers and job postings. Being cautious is vital since giving out personal information to a con artist might jeopardise both your identity and your money. Here are nine tips that will help you detect and avoid such schemes.
1. Do an online search
See what comes up when you Google the business, the employer, or the recruiter. Look them out online if you receive a job offer via email from someone claiming to be a recruiter to verify the legitimacy of their claims.
2. Don’t accept a job offer without an interview.
You will typically have an interview procedure with potential employers. It’s a negative indicator if someone hires you only based on your resume. Even if you may have a strong work history, reputable employers may still want to speak with you before hiring you. Most companies will still prefer to talk over the phone or via video call, even during peak times.
3. Never pay to get a job.
Legitimate job offers won’t cost you anything to join them. It’s not a legitimate job if they demand a deposit from you or require that you buy a package or training. You will never be required to pay to apply for a job that is real. A few frauds, such as multi-level marketing schemes, even demand that you buy goods that you can resell for a profit. These jobs are likewise fraudulent, and the risk that you won’t be able to get your money back is very high.
4. Get a contract and details in writing.
If they can’t give you with it, it’s probably a deception. Get written confirmation of your position’s requirements, your salary, and the start date of your employment. Do not perform any job for the company unless you have signed anything. A major warning sign is if a potential employer is reluctant to give over a paper. Make more inquiries into the business to determine whether it is legitimate or not.
5. Don’t accept checks from potential employers.
Your employer won’t ever send you a check that they want you to cash on their behalf. Scammers frequently deliver checks to victims and demand payment in the form of cash or gift cards. The check will then bounce, leaving you without your money. Scammers may even overpay you for a work and demand that you transmit the extra cash to a different location. You will pay for this scam, and it could be very challenging to obtain your money back.
6. Talk to someone you trust
Show the listing to someone you know and trust if you come across an offer that looks too good to be true, such as one that promises excellent money in exchange for little experience. This person could be able to provide you with a valuable second opinion on the offer’s veracity.
7. Don’t apply for jobs that seem too good to be true.
You’re probably sensing an issue in your gut. Jobs that promise a large income for a simple task or that you may earn thousands of dollars by working only a few hours each week are likely to be scams. Any indication that a job offer isn’t genuine should be taken seriously. Postings for jobs that just talk about the pay rather than the actual responsibilities are suspicious and probably not real. Jobs that can be done from home are the ones that are most likely to be scams.
8. Don’t accept if you didn’t apply
Scammers will occasionally approach you out of the blue and claim you’ve been hired for a position you never even applied for. This has a clear solution. Avoid responding.
9. Only share your personal info if you know the company is legit.
Once you’ve done a thorough investigation, keep your information to yourself. Before you give them anything, check out the firm website, call the employer, and request a written job offer. Your identity may be stolen using your name, address, ID, social security number, and bank account information. This information will eventually be required of you by legitimate jobs, but not before you have successfully completed the application and interview processes.