Beware of bogus job offers

Fake job listings can be found almost anywhere, from posters on college campuses to trusted job-search websites. In the latest full year of data reported by the Federal Trade Commission, more than 107,000 individuals reported job opportunity scams, with a total annual loss of $491,000,000. With some criminals dedicating extensive resources to their impersonations, it can be difficult to discern real offers from fraudulent ones.

The medium may change, but the basic premise is the same—a scammer wants money or information (or both) for you to start employment that doesn’t exist.

A common version of this scheme involves depositing a check from a new employer only for the fraudster to request some money back due to “overpayment.” The check will eventually bounce, the scammer will keep the extra cash the victim sent for the “overpayment,” and the bank will likely hold the victim responsible for the full amount of the fake check.

These scams have also kept up with new tech. One Minnesotan reported to Fraud.org an offer to impersonate a legitimate software company found on one of the largest job-search sites. After beginning work, the scammers had the individual routinely deposit and withdraw cryptocurrency. Eventually, the victim was unable to withdraw funds, leaving them with a more than $4,000 loss.

Short of directly receiving money from a victim, criminals can try to steal your identity by requesting personal information, like your Social Security number. They also may ask for bank account information under the guise of setting up direct deposit. Unfortunately, these are common pieces of information that are necessary to provide when beginning legitimate employment, too.

• If you’re looking for or starting a new job, keep the following tips in mind:
  Don’t pay cash to start a job. Employers who ask for money aren’t legitimate. Jobs requiring significant investment in equipment might be pyramid schemes.
• Read the URL and email address of the job poster carefully. Impersonators mimic legitimate companies, often with just one letter off in the website URL or email address.
• Beware of jobs where you are asked to deposit checks, purchase gift cards, or deposit cash into cryptocurrency ATMs. These are often precursors to fraud.
• Look for other opinions. Ask someone you trust what they think of the situation. A web search for the company or recruiter who’s hiring alongside the words “scam,” “reviews,” or “complaints” also might turn up important information.

If you or someone you know has been approached by or become a victim of a job opportunity scam, report it! Complaints submitted to Fraud.org are shared with our network of law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners. To file a complaint via our secure online form, click here.