How to avoid job scams

Looking for a job? Not only is it harder to find one in this economy, but now you have to watch out for scam artists. More and more people are vulnerable to schemes that prey on people looking for employment, according to the Better Business Bureau.

1) The most common schemes

Some common schemes include having to pay for a credit report. You may be asked to fill out personal information on what is, in reality, a fake job application form. Or, there may be a fee charged on a background check. Scam artists may try to get victims involved in a money laundering scheme involving counterfeit checks. They may also try to get people involved in work-at-home scams where money is paid upfront for services that are never received.

2) Know the red flags

Here are some red flags you should watch out for. First, beware of spelling or grammatical errors. Most online fraud is done by scammers who are located outside the U.S. And their first language usually isn’t English. Be wary of requests for your Social Security number. And don’t believe any claim that you can get rich quickly.

3) Be careful with your info

You shouldn’t have to worry about using online job sites like Monster.com or Hotjobs.com. Just be careful what kind of information you release. Monster.com has a feature where you can keep some of the info on your resume private. But realize that even the most innocent information can compromise your identity.

Even where you graduated can present a problem because some thieves may try to access your student ID number - which COULD be the same as your Social Security number. Don’t put down your address on your resume; a potential employer isn’t going to be sending you anything through snail mail just yet.

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