Job Scam
There are many job seekers, today, falling victims to scams. Many ads posted on the internet or in different other publications offer employment opportunities. Though, some of them hide evil intentions, from identity theft and money extortion, to human trafficking or even worse. Particularly now, with the tough economic situation, more and more job scammers are trying to take advantage of innocent people. Job seekers should be fully aware of everything that “looks too good to be true”, because it is, most likely... a job scam!
First of all, stay away from any get-rich-quick scheme, pyramid scheme and any other work-at-home opportunities that do not provide legitimate products to sell. Stay away if the information you get is hard to understand and even more, there is just an 800 number or a P.O. Box where you can get information about a company. Clarity should be one of your first demands, in looking for a job. Do not fall for any kind of investment scams! Do a search online and see if a business is not listed as a scam, somewhere.
You should not have to pay to get a job. Even the practice of asking employees to invest, upfront, in certificates or uniforms or other work required tools, seems unfair. It's a practice spreading in restaurants and usual for many talent agencies, for example. Someone who just got a job is less likely to have the funds to buy all these, prior to receiving the first salary. That company may dispose of you, at any time, particularly if you bought the work supplies, from them. Fair employers do not ask for money, upfront and do not promise you get the job. They call you for an interview and they decide whom they hire, later on. It is also recommended not to agree to employment based on probation. Many times, this my be an attempt to benefit of free labor and you may be disposed of, without any financial obligation, from your employer.
There are others selling information or training kits, to assist you in getting government related jobs. The sellers have no connection, whatsoever, with the companies and agencies they are selling information about. Even if they offer a money back guarantee, stay away from them! All the information you are paying them for can be easily found for free, right at the agency or the company of interest to you.
Do not provide your personal or financial information, without making sure that your employer is a legitimate one. Many will try to convince you that they need to run a background or credit check, on you. You be the first to perform a background or credit check, on them! Your potential employer should not be given access, to any of your information, unless he or she can prove, all the good reasons to be invested with such trust. Always be wise and document all your potential employment related correspondence and conversation, just in case.
