When a person is looking for a new job opportunity, the last thing they might expect is a scam. Unfortunately, one might fall victim to some shady and outright criminal schemes. It is important to stay cautious.
Together with Jooble experts, we’ve narrowed down the 3 most common scams that one might come across.
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The rule of thumb is simple – if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It might be sketchy if you see a posting that offers an unprecedented salary while you know nothing about the company.
It is important to always research potential employers and keep an eye on the details listed. Here are some signs that you see a scam:
The good idea is to use reliable job search engines and always do your research before you share any personal information.
Here is how it works. You are told to get a package, put it in another box at home, and send it to someone. It sounds like an easy task to earn some cash. In reality, criminals are trying to ship illegal items or drugs through you. There might be drugs or stolen goods inside.
You can be charged for possessing such items, not to mention sending them out. Often such gigs brand themselves as “gift packaging” and might appear during the holiday season. Be aware that it is a shady practice you do not want to participate in.
This is a popular scam one might come across all over the internet. A person sends you a check to deposit and send money to another person.
It can be either a money-laundering tactic or a way to steal your money. Please do not share your bank details with such people, and do not let them send you anything.
Money laundering means that they’ll use your account to launder illegal funds. Also, people can steal your hard-earned money this way. For example, they send you a check and ask you to send them some money of it back. While you do so, you can lose your money.
There is nothing inherently wrong with working in a call center. However, one needs to be cautious about the script they get and what their position entails. Some centers might prey on vulnerable people by selling sketchy services or other scams.
A major red flag is if you are asked to scare people to make them sign an agreement like insurance or if you need to ask people for their bank account or credit card details. It means you are now involved in an identity theft scheme.
People desperate for employment might fall victim to such scams. Be cautious of the offers and do not go for too-good-to-be-true deals unless it is a trusted company. And always research the employer first.