GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – While taking on a seasonal job this time of year can be a great way to make a few extra bucks, it’s always important to really know who you’re working for.
If you’re looking to get a job for the holidays, you should look into any employers offering a job.
“There’s a very quick hiring process. Maybe you do a video chat or something like that, and then they start requesting things from you…these are all red flags of a scam,” said Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau. “If you haven’t done any of that official work [like interviews or paperwork] and they’re starting to ask you things, that is a red flag of a scam that you should definitely be reconsidering or taking a closer look at this company.”
If you’re being asked to purchase or re-ship items from the business, Bach says to take a step back and look at the situation.
“If they ask you to make a payment for something up front to purchase job supplies or an application fee or some kind of training fee, that too is a big red flag because those are expenses that are typically covered by the employer,” Bach told WTAQ News. “That is a red flag that you’re in the middle of some kind of money mule or free shipping scam so the items that you’re receiving probably have been purchased with the stolen credit card…Companies don’t like to mail or ship products overseas, because that usually the tip off that it’s some kind of scam. They’ll have some middle man receive those packages and then re-ship them.”
But it’s not only seasonal workers who need to keep an eye out for potential scam employers.
“College kids are also going to be graduating in December and entering the job market, so employment scams really are rampant whether you’re looking for a seasonal position or a full-time career,” Bach said. “If you’re going to be making big bucks working from home for very little effort, that is always a tip off that it too good to be true.”
Read more about Employment Scams and how to avoid them on BBB.org.
Comments