Some days won't end ever and some days pass on byDamned if you do, damned if you don't
I'm supposed to get a raise next week, you know damn well I won't
Workin' for a livin'
(Workin')
Workin' for a livin'
(Workin')
Workin' for a livin', livin' and workin'
I'm taking what they're giving 'cause I'm workin' for a livin'
I've been looking for a job for longer than I care to admit. The COVID-19 pandemic has put many of us in this same boat. Unfortunately, this has made a ripe breeding ground for scammers. A friend of mine, who wasn't even looking for a job, recently encountered a job scam that was very very thorough. She was contacted by email (by a company she was familiar with) and told to call "H.R." for an interview.
Initially, it seemed legitimate. However, during the interview, she was told that she would have to buy certain equipment. Somehow, the conversation worked its way around to her transferring money to them for the equipment she would need (to be reimbursed by check later). When she couldn't transfer money to them, they suggested cash and gift cards. By this time red flags were flying. She concluded by telling them she knew this was a scam and disconnected. She was thankful not to lose money, but she was annoyed about the time wasted on this nonexistant "opportunity."
According to the Better Business Bureau, job scammers often use real company names and can be very convincing. The goal of the scammer may be to get your personal information, such as social security number, mother's maiden name, bank account number or credit card information. Such information is necessary, they say, to run a credit check or set up direct deposit. Or, the scammer may want money. To get money, the "company" may charge you a fee for "training," or "accidentally" overpay you with a fake check and ask you to deposit the check and wire back the difference, or they may tell you that you need to buy expensive equipment and supplies to work at home. So, how do you avoid being the target of a scam?
If you receive an email touting an enticing job, look for the following:
* The email has obvious grammatical or spelling errors. Sometimes, they might not even use the correct name in the salutation (e.g., they call you "Susan" when your name is "Nancy").
* The “company” has an email domain from gmail, yahoo, hotmail, or outlook (note that even though businesses use outlook, they usually have their own domain in the web address, not "outlook.com"). Legitimate hiring managers do not use personal email addresses.
* Speaking of domain names, scammers occasionally use a fake company domain name. If the email comes from a company domain, check that it matches the actual company domain. In other words, if you get an email from "john.smith@famouscompany.com," check that the company's website really is "famouscompany.com."
* Another email scam technique is "spoofing," where you receive an email containing a link to a posting that appears to come from a legitimate job search site, but the site is fraudulent.
* Beware also of unsolicited job posting email messages with a job site logo that said they found you because your resume, CV, or portfolio is posted on a job site. If you've never posted there, then obviously the email is fake. However, even if you have posted, you should proceed with caution.
* Do you have multiple email addresses with one dedicated to professional communication? Did the email come to that address? If it's not your professional address, then chances are the email was sent to random email addresses and is a scam.
* Is the company online? Try searching "company name" + "scam." You can also check out the company with the Better Business Bureau.
Proceed with caution
* Be wary of work-from-home, package reshipment, payment processing, and secret shopper positions; even a "job" with a generic title such as caregiver, administrative assistant, or customer service rep may not be on the up-and-up.
* If the job posting is for a well-known brand, check the real company's job page to see if the position is posted there. The company my friend thought she was dealing with actually has a notice on their website--
How to recognize scammers?
We never ask you to pay for any software or equipment.We never send emails from free public domains, like Gmail.
This was exactly what my friend encountered.
* If the job comes up in other cities with the exact same post, it’s likely a scam.
* If you can’t verify a phone number, location, web address, or employees, you’re looking at a scam. Real companies will have an online presence and/or some social media engagement—if they don’t have a decent following, they may not be legitimate.
Money, money, money
* A legitimate employer will never ask you to transfer money or pay to get hired. If the company asks you to forward or wire money, STOP ALL COMMUNICATION IMMEDIATELY!!
* You shouldn't have to pay to get a job, so if an employer requires an upfront payment or "investment," you should take a pass on the "opportunity."
* Be careful if a company promises you great opportunities or a big income under the condition that you pay for coaching, training, certifications or directories.
* NEVER deposit unexpected or fishy checks.
* Similarly, do not fall for an overpayment scam; no legitimate job would ever overpay an employee and ask for money to be wired somewhere else.
* If the contact offers to put you in touch with "unpublicized government jobs" for a fee, it's a scam. Government agencies post all jobs publicly and freely. Whether federal or state, United States or Canada, you would never be asked to pay to obtain government listings.
* Be wary of any offer to give you special access or guarantee you a job for a fee – if you are paying for the promise of a job, you can assume it's a scam.
* NEVER give out highly personal or financial information (especially social security number, mother's maiden name, credit card or bank account information).
* NEVER respond to job offers that ask you to wire money, cash checks, submit your credit card information, pay for a credit report, or do any other transactions that require a fee to get hired.
Communication is key
* If you are approached to communicate through chat, request they give you a call instead, and do your research before the interview to see if the results raise any concerns.
* Phishing scams often look like they come from a trusted and well-known company, so always reach out to an employer directly through their legitimate website rather than respond to any “phish-y” looking communication.
* Be very careful if you’re offered a job without a recruiter verifying your work experience or asking for references.
* Pay attention to the job description. Is it vague? It's probably a scam.
* The same applies to information about the company. If you're not getting answers to your questions, that's a red flag, especially if the "employer" is unwilling to share specific details.
* Watch out for on-the-spot job offers. You may be an excellent candidate for the job, but beware of offers made without an interview. A real company will want to talk to a candidate before hiring. That's not to say that being offered a job during an interview is always a scam -- I've been hired during interviews. However, even if the job is offered during the interview, the employer should give you time to make your decision. That brings us to our next point--
Don't rush me!
* Any legitimate company won’t push you into accepting a job offer immediately. If there is a sense of urgency, or the recruiter is pushing you to accept the job now, you need to pump the brakes!
* Any sort of pressure to sign or onboard is a red flag. Legitimate companies will understand that employment choices are big decisions and will give you time to consider the offer.
Look closely
* In addition to checking grammar and spelling, check the appearance of the email or job posting. If there is a logo in the email or posting, check if it looks professional and matches the company's logo online.
* Research the company. Do a quick online search. Does the company have a website and presence online? Try searching for the company on the Better Business Bureau website by searching the company name along with the word "scam."
* Be skeptical if the job has flexible hours or the opportunity to work from home. Not all remote work jobs are scams (especially with the current pandemic), but some of them are.
* Gauge the salary. If the rate seems far higher than what you'd expect for the role, you should take a step back and figure out why.
If you think you're the target of a scam
* Disconnect and stop all communication!
* Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Better Business Bureau. You want this investigated and the scammers stopped from doing this to anyone else.
If you think the job is legit
If you decide the offer seems legit, and do reply to an email, be careful about the information you share. NEVER share financial information or pay the company until you're sure that you're dealing with a reputable company.
Get all details and contracts in writing. You should be given time to read the contract and ask questions about anything that you don't understand or want to change. The contract should be accompanied by a "Description of Work" (this is often an addendum to the contract). If you're concerned about any provision, you may want to contact a lawyer.
Remember: If the job seems too good to be true, it probably is!
I know this is a long post, but I really only gave a quick overview. Other resources to check out:
Flex Jobs: 14 Common Job Search Scams and How to Protect Yourself
