Everyday thousands of job seekers fall for swindles and cons. The old saying, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” still holds when it comes to employment opportunities online and the chance to work from home and make great money. The scams are intended to obtain information, social security numbers, credit card numbers, the 3-digit code on the back of the card, and bank information. In other cases, the intent is for the job seeker to click on a link, which is a virus and keystrokes are captured.
How to Avoid Online Job Scams & Spam Infographic
Tips to avoid falling for a scam:
- Never give anyone your social security number, especially on the internet. Most online work is paid as a 1099. In other words, social security numbers are not required because taxes are not deducted.
- Read the fine print and save it when sharing your credit card number. Training and other types of educational training offered online should be verified with the Better Business Bureau. If you cannot find any information about the business, question whether it is a legitimate business.
- Do not give your bank information to anyone. If you are to be paid, set up a PayPal Account instead.
- Do not sign or agree to make multiple payments with your credit card.
- Do not agree to let money flow through your bank account. If it is a legitimate business then the other party can open a bank account in the U.S. There is never a need for a legitimate company to need someone else to funnel payments.
Consumer & Government Resources
- If you need to verify if a business is legal and if it is, are there any complaints. Contact the Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org
- Learn how to avoid scams and secure your computer: http://www.onguardonline.gov
- The internet Crime Complaint Center is a partnership between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center which allows you to file a complaint: http://www.ic3.gov
- The informative infographic was created by Jobsite.
