April 27, 2020
Carson City, NV
– Nevada Attorney
General Aaron D. Ford warns Nevadans to be on the lookout for fake job
opportunities advertised online or on flyers as fraudsters take advantage of
more people searching for work.
“During this difficult time with unprecedented unemployment, scammers are
looking for opportunities to obtain your personal information or take your money,”
said AG Ford. “Be alert for red flags when applying for
jobs online or through flyers.”
Fake job postings can appear in many of the same places legitimate job
openings are posted: online, in newspapers or on the TV or radio. However, the
job posting may not be legitimate, and Nevadans should stay alert for the
following red flags:
- Requiring a payment
such as a fee for certification, training materials or their expenses for
placing you with the company. Employers and employment firms should not ask for
money in return for the promise of a job;
- Asking for your bank
account or credit card information. As always, avoid providing your financial
information to someone you do not know unless you are making a purchase from or
a payment to a trusted source;
- Asking for personal
details usually not included in most listings. Some postings are a phishing
attempt for your personal information. Do not share anything you are
uncomfortable including; and
- Including language
that the position is “previously undisclosed” for government jobs. Information
for all federal, state, city and county jobs is free and available on official
websites.
Additionally, work-from-home
scams offer the opportunity to do tasks at home and earn money. Oftentimes,
these offers may include an up-front fee. These offers are sometimes an attempt
to lure you into paying more money for “training” or “expert advice,” which
will leave you with debt and not much else. Before paying the fees, look for
the following red flags:
- Offering high pay
for minimal work;
- Asking you to accept
money on behalf of the employer or someone else;
- Not requiring or
recommending experience; and
- Asking for money to
pay for a background check, membership, training or merchandise.
When looking for job
placement with an unfamiliar company, conduct research through online search
engines, the Better Business Bureau, and look for news articles that mention
the company. Researching the company may indicate whether the company is
offering a legitimate employment opportunity. Don’t be afraid to ask specific
questions about the company, including details about the position, pay
structure and management.
Others may consider
the opportunity to sell products to friends and family through multi-level
marketing (MLM) or direct sales. While some multi-level marketing opportunities
are legitimate, others may be an illegal pyramid scheme. As with any business
opportunity, research the company through online searches and consumer
websites. Some red flags for a pyramid scheme, over a legitimate MLM, include:
- Promoters making
extravagant promises about your earning potential;
- Promoters
emphasizing recruiting new distributors rather than selling a product or
service; and
- Promoters using
high-pressure sales tactics, such as stating you may miss your opportunity if
you don’t act quickly.
If you have been
victimized by any crime related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please report your
experience to the Attorney General’s Office at http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/
###