October 7, 2020
Carson City, NV
– Nevada Attorney
General Aaron D. Ford is cautioning Nevadans about scams targeting individuals
looking for jobs. As many Nevadans pursue new job opportunities during the
pandemic, scams related to job seekers are on the rise.
Job
seeker scams can take many forms. In addition to traditional methods such as
flyers, posters and advertisements, scams targeting job seekers can originate
from multiple platforms, including fake websites, unsolicited emails, social
media, messaging services, robocalls, Craigslist and pop-up advertisements.
Scammers are looking to steal your identity or money, and may even be involving
you in a criminal enterprise.
“While
so many Nevadans are faced with layoffs and looking for new opportunities,
unscrupulous scammers are finding new ways to capitalize on these uncertain
times,” said AG Ford. “I would like every Nevadan to know they can look
to my office for help, and should try to educate themselves about these scams
to stop fraudsters in their tracks.”
The
Office of the Nevada Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection offers
the following tips to avoid being scammed by fake job listings.
Types of Job Scams:
Re-Shipping Scams: With this scam, a fake recruiter pretends to
represent a logistics, shipping or transport company. The “job duties” for the
position usually includes receiving packages at home for inspection or
re-packing and shipment. The scammer may also provide pre-printed labels.
Often, the package will be shipped overseas. Unbeknownst to the target of this
scam, it typically involves the shipping of stolen or counterfeit goods. Generally,
the person who accepts this job scam is not paid for their work, and sometimes
pay for the shipping themselves. Eventually, the scam company stops
communicating with the consumer, but only after the consumer has lost money and
potentially may be at risk for criminal prosecution.
Virtual Assistant Scams: This scam offers consumers the
opportunity to do work-at-home data entry or virtual administrative assistant
work. While there are legitimate job opportunities for this type of work, a
scammer posing as offering this work may ask you to pay fees, buy materials,
make payments on their behalf, or give your personal information.
Office Set-Up Scam: With this scam, an employer claims to be from
a company based overseas looking to open an office or hire staff in the U.S.
Typically, the consumer receives a fake check that is supposed to be used for
set-up expenses. The “employer” encourages the consumer to deposit the money
and start making purchases for the office and have the supplies, such as
laptops and other electronics, shipped to another address. However, the check
eventually bounces, leaving the consumer stuck with the bill. A variation on
this scam requires that the consumer use his or her own card to make purchases
that are never reimbursed.
While the above examples represent recent job-seeking
scams, scammers may still run the classic job scams of envelope stuffing,
mystery shopping, online survey scams and pyramid schemes.
How to Recognize a Job Scam:
Be
cautious if someone offers you a job that you have not applied or conducted an
interview for;
Be
wary if the job advertisement offers high pay for simple work. This is usually
a sign of a scam;
Avoid
paying a fee or making a purchase to get work. These fees can include
enrollment fees, employment screening fees, training fees, and the cost of purchasing
of materials or shipping items;
Be
skeptical of requests for personal or financial information, particularly if
the potential employer or recruiter asks for your Social Security number, bank
account number, or other personal information prior to conducting an interview
or making a formal job offer. While employees often must supply some of this
information, do your homework to make sure the company is legitimate before
providing this information;
Research
others’ experiences with the company. Try searching for the company online.
When speaking to a recruiter, ask enough questions so that you feel comfortable
with the job opportunity; and
Check
the company’s web page, and if you receive an email, look at the domain address
to see if matches the web page. Be wary
if there are any differences or if you can’t find any reviews of the company’s
web page.
If you believe you have been a victim of job
scams, you may file a complaint with the Office of the Nevada Attorney
General here or with the Federal
Trade Commission here. You may also call our
office’s hotline toll free at (888) 434-9989.
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