HOUSTON – If a job listing or offer seems too good to be true, experts say, beware. If you’re desperate for a new job, it’s easy to get excited when you get contacted for an interview. But is that job real or fake?
LinkedIn reports 50 percent of workers will actively look for a new job this year and most of those people will search online to find one. But beware, job scams are a growing problem.
According to the Better Business Bureau, about 14 million people are exposed to an employment scam each year. The Houston BBB tells us they got 371 reports of job scams last year and 47 in just the last month alone!
Now, scammers are finding new ways to get people on board.
Indeed, Glassdoor, SimplyHired, Monster, and LinkedIn are just a few places people look for jobs. However, job scammers are everywhere and they’re upping their game to find new, clever, and appealing ways to trap people.
The Federal Trade Commission says scammers list jobs the same way as real companies and even have imposter HR people pretending to be from actual companies, conduct interviews via email or text. The Better Business Bureau reports one of the most common scams is a work-from-home job to receive and reship items. Many people who fall for this do the work and never get paid.
Fake checks, secret shopper, and caregiver scams are also frequently reported. So how can you tell a real job post from a fake one? You are asked to pay any kind of fee or purchase a new phone or laptop before starting your new job. You are required to provide your bank account information before you start the job. The job posting is not listed on the company’s website. The job description and requirements are vague. And the pay seems high for the work to be done.
Experts say to always do a Google search on the company, and make sure the website the recruiter shared matches the real website. Also, consider setting up a second bank account so you aren’t giving out details to your main account. Most importantly, insist on talking to the recruiter and future teammate in person or at least on a video chat.
The BBB says, just remember, if you have to pay a fee, do anything out of the ordinary to get the job or feel rushed to accept it, it’s likely a scam.
If you’re a victim or think you’re being scammed, you can report it to the BBB’s scam tracker online.