Job Opportunity and Job Placement Scams

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT THIS IS A SCAM?

Work-at-home: A company offers to train you in a specific field, often to work-at-home or through the Internet, for a fee. They may also charge you a fee for the start-up supplies or materials. All of these fees are paid to the company before you realize any income from the training or business venture.

Phishing: A company offers you a position, often by email, and asks that you complete a form for a background check including personal information such as your social security number, credit or banking information.

Mystery shopper: You are approached for an opportunity as a mystery shopper. All you need to do is cash a check, usually at a big-box retail store, make a purchase and wire the remainder of the money.

Counterfeit check/wire fraud: You are offered a position to work for a foreign company from home. Your job is to receive checks, cash them and wire the money to your “employer” after keeping a small sum as payment for yourself.


HOW CAN CONSUMERS PROTECT THEMSELVES?

A real job opportunity will not require up-front fees, unless you are attending a reputable school for education or training. Be wary of any offer that requires a start-up kit, access to a ‘hidden’ market for a fee or little work for supposedly large profits.

Exercise caution when providing personal information for any potential employer. Reputable employers do not request information such as your social security number until a job offer is extended or you have started employment.

Never agree to cash a check and wire money to an unknown person or company. Counterfeit check fraud is very common. Once you have wired funds, your chances of getting any money back are slim. You also risk bank fees for depositing a bad check.

Verify with Better Business Bureau (www.cincinnati.bbb.org) or the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) that the company offering the opportunity is reputable and in good business standing before turning over any money or personal information.


HOW TO REPORT IF YOU’VE BEEN A VICTIM

Ohio Attorney General’s office: If you think you’ve been cheated out of money in a job opportunity scam, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s office (800-282-0515).

Better Business Bureau (BBB): You should also submit a complaint to BBB (513-421-3015 or www.cincinnati.bbb.org) to report the problem and to receive assistance with resolving the dispute.

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you believe you are the victim of an Internet crime, you may contact the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. The IC3 is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center. Complaints submitted to the IC3 cover an array of cyber crime and fraud schemes.