3 Common Job Scams to Avoid

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Sometimes jobs seem too good to be true. In most cases, they are. It may even be illegal. These scams are so prevalent that the The Federal Trade Commission has a website Where they inform the audience of new news. There is also a section for the public to report problematic posts that they encounter.

Red flags that might be a sign of a scam include any job that requires a new employee to pay them first, asks for credit card or bank account information, or promises access to government jobs that aren’t advertised. Make sure to do some research on the company before you sign up to work with them. If they don’t have much of an online presence, you must be suspicious.

Here are 3 common job scams to look out for:

1. Refill tricks

What if making money was as easy as receiving a package in the mail, boxing it up, and shipping it? Well, it isn’t. If you receive an offer like this, you will likely be asked to ship stolen or illegal items, such as drugs. Not only is it against the law, but you can get arrested simply for having them in your possession. These jobs tend to pop up around the holidays as “gift-wrapping” work-from-home jobs. Ignore any offers that come your way that involve repackaging work, and if you find yourself in a situation where you’re already doing this, report it to the authorities immediately.

2. Money laundering schemes

If you’ve ever seen a TV show or movie that features money laundering in its story, you already know you don’t want to get involved with it…or with the people who do. A sure sign that you are being asked to join this type of scam is if you are asked to share your bank details, then receive deposit checks and instructions telling you to send money to someone else. No matter their rationale, don’t fall for it. They are trying to use you as a “money mule” to launder illegally obtained money. Another tactic might involve stealing your money. For example, they could send you a large check, claim to have sent you too much, and then ask you to return the check for half the amount. Meanwhile, their check will bounce and you’ll be sending them your hard-earned cash.

3. Call Center Scam

Here’s another scam that can be a miserable party And I put you in prison. If you work in a call center, be sure to pay attention to the sales text you provided. Just like the above posts, if the product you’re selling sounds too good to be true – well, you know the rest. Many of these scams prey on humble people, such as retirees, and sell them get-rich-quick services. Or you may be asked to tell them they are at risk of being sued and then persuade them to sign up for protection such as insurance or a legal protection program. If your role involves trying to obtain someone’s credit card details through scare tactics or wild promises, do the opposite. It is possible that you are involved in stealing their identity or money. You may get the script from your employer but you are the one who will have to deal with the courts and your conscience.

At ZipRecruiter, we take your protection seriously and are constantly working to improve job seekers safety. Part of this effort involves using proprietary post review software in an effort to deny access to anyone who fails to pass our offerings. But no system is perfect, which is why we share articles like this one, as well as other posts with additional tips on avoiding job scams.

If you come across something that looks suspicious, please email our dedicated Trust & Safety team so we can take a look and take appropriate action. Our Customer Service Representatives are available seven days a week to investigate and get rid of anything that doesn’t feel right.

Be safe out there and good luck with your search!