Detecting False Job Advertisements
Employment Scams, Deceptive Job Ads & Fraudulent Businesses
Sep 2, 2008
It is an old saying: Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is. A high paying job, in the devastating circumstances of today's US economy, looks like chocolate cake to the average unemployed person, the one who usually falls victim to employment scams.
Fraudulent businesses have caused American consumer's to distrust more businesses over the past year. Nearly half of the consumers have claimed that they have had very little trust in the companies that they have done business with according to the Better Business Bureau BBB/Gallup Trust in Index Survey from August 25, 2008. No job is guaranteed. Since no employee knows when he will be terminated, everyone should learn the signs to detect false job ads.
Signs of False Job Ads
No matter how reputable the company is or how trustworthy the publication that the ads are placed in is, be sure to verify all the information listed on a job advertisement. Scammers can pretend to be any company.
Be careful for the "Post Office Now Hiring $20 an Hour" ad or the "Government Jobs Earn $12-48 an Hour" ad, which have been advertised recently in some well-known publications. This company deceives job searchers in its terms and agreements, and it asks for money for study material or test taking. Usually the job searcher will never see exact results, if they see any at all.
Postal service exams are free, and no one should have to pay for test-taking material that is offered by the public library or the postal service.
Be suspicious of promises, such as guaranteed jobs or tests that require payments with "no risks". They promise to give consumers refunds under certain agreements, but usually, deceptive businesses will find a way not to deliver their promises. According to an article by the Federal Trade Commission FTC labeled Ads for Business Opportunities: How to detect Deception, legitimate business ventures involve risks. To be sure if a test or job costs money check with the local Better Business Bureau.
A job that offers a huge payout, for example, "make $1,000 a week from home", is worth checking out. On huge payouts, if the earnings claim is there, but the percentage of previous purchasers who earned the income isn't, the promoter is breaking the law.
Protect Yourself from Job Scams
Do not:
- Accept promises that do not appear on the contract.
- Give out personal information over the phone, such as social security number, or bank account.
- Do business with a company without doing an extensive background check.
- Believe a business is hiring because you saw it on the news, ad or other source of media
- Do business with a company unless you contact the corporate office to verify the job vacancy.
Do:
- Review the business contract carefully before you sign anything or hand over money.
- Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the refund policy.
- Check with BBB to make sure any complaints have been filed with the company
Feel You Have Been Scammed?
If there is reason to believe that you have been scammed for a credit card account or social security number, call your bank or credit card account and put a hold on the account. This way, no one is able to use the account. Then ask if the credit card company can monitor the account for any activity. File a complaint at ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP.
Unfortunately, Social Security takes no action if the card is lost or stolen, but you are limited to 10 replacement cards in a lifetime. One can use free credit reports to monitor one's credit with Equax, TransUnion and Experian if one has been scammed.
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