A few weeks ago, I received an email – an anonymous message offering a job which seemed temptingly simple and attainable. Too good to be true.

While online free classifieds sites such as Craigslist and Kijiji can be good sources of jobs, scammers are known for using them to get the attention (and money) of unsuspecting job seekers. Recently, Global News reported on a scam where a candidate applied to a Craigslist job posting, was interviewed online and offered the job. Superficially, this seems reasonable; however, the fact that the position offered $20 an hour for data entry from home should have been the first clue that this was fake (again, too good to be true). The bigger clue of trouble was the fact that the candidate received a cheque from the company for a large amount, which he was told to use to purchase equipment to do the job. The cheque bounced and the candidate was forced to use his own money to repay the debt.

The lesson: if you are expected to hand over money to get the job, whether you are buying materials, equipment or paying some kind of fee, don’t; you are most likely being scammed.

Red flags to look out for.

The job offer arrives via email, despite you never having applied for the job
It’s too good to be true: salary is too high for very simple duties
The hiring process is too easy: you have not met the employer/there is no interview/the employer doesn’t conduct a background or reference check
The potential employer wants your credit card or other information
There’s no address or other employees
The employer wants you to purchase equipment or materials
The employer asks for a recruiter’s fee

Bottom line?

Be suspicious. Ask questions. Be assertive. Don’t let your desperation blind you from seeing the warning signs that a scammer might be trying to part you from your money or your personal information.

If you think you’ve been scammed, keep your records (emails, voice mails etc) and call the police to report it immediately.

Dear Joanna,

This is a true story. I applied for a job posting on Craigslist for the position of customer service representative. I immediately received an email from the owner of the company with an employment contract attached for me to complete, sign and return by email. The form requested all of my personal details, including my social insurance number. I admit that I was excited to be offered a job, after a year of rejection and frustration with my hundreds of job applications. However, I am concerned about providing my personal details to a total stranger without an interview at least.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Signed: Fraud Alert (FA)

Dear FA,

I’m so glad you contacted me with this question. Do not email anyone your Social Insurance Number or personal details if you have no real evidence that the organization and person are for real. The question of how to determine if you are experiencing a job posting scam or a real job is important. Steffen Allen, Senior Recruiter at Brainhunter, provides some important warning signs and techniques to determine if the employment opportunity is legitimate or not:

1. Be very careful.

This is the first step when you are applying for jobs online, or even in person. There is no shortage of identity-theft, scams, rip-offs and illegitimate companies and job postings in the city and on the internet. It’s impossible to police so many people and places. I would always check out your concerns or the actual job posting with your mentor, job developer and/or employment counsellor before you apply, so you can prevent anything bad happening. You can learn about a standard job application process through our agency.

Allen warns never to NEVER EVER provide a social insurance number until a job offer is given, accepted and the company is verified. Companies will never send a job offer before an interview or phone conversation at the very minimal.

2. Research research research.

Is there a website for the company advertising their position? Can you Google the company and owner? If not, then it might be a scam. I only apply for jobs with legitimate and comprehensive websites with full disclosure of their company name, location, telephone, emails, and contact people lists. I would also Google the address to make sure it’s real. Look for any reports of negative news and reputations.

3. Analyze the job details.

Again, it’s important that the job description be transparent, clear and informative, with an idea of the compensation package. An actual amount might not be listed, but you should have an idea of the payment structure. For example, does the posting indicate a base and commission with the customer service role, or is it an hourly wage?

4. Asking for money and more.

The website Scam Warmers presents the following red flags that confirm that the job and company are frauds. DO NOT PAY A PENNY TO ANY EMPLOYER before getting the job. Avoid jobs that ask you to use your personal bank account, to open a new bank account, to use your credit card, mail, cash a check or money.

5. Check the company’s references.

You have every right to ask the company or employer for references. Request a list of other employees or customers. Then, contact the references to ask about the company. If the company refuses to provide references, then stay away from this opportunity.

6. Beware of quick rich fixes.

Any job that promises getting rich fast or guarantees tons of money is one that you should stay away from. Nothing happens by magic or quickly, whether it’s a job offer or losing weight. This all takes time and is a process.

I really hope that I have saved you from this scammer. You deserve to work for a legitimate and transparent company with fair compensation and a healthy workplace.

Watch Out for Job Scams