BUFFALO -- A new Craigslist scam may pose a threat to many job seekers and their personal information.
It has been reported that scammers are now posting fake employment opportunities on Craigslist. While some are claiming that the Better Business Bureau has been hiring these scammers, BBB president David Polino warns job seekers about the risks of falling for these bogus job postings.
"While it can be exciting to be contacted for a job interview, job seekers should take a step back and look closely at all the details before responding," said Polino.
One job seeker received an email selecting her for an interview. In the email, it claimed that all employees are paid via direct deposit and directed her to click a link to sign up for their preferred banking institution. She stopped right there and didn't fall for the scam.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips when searching for jobs online:
-Exercise Caution. Be sure to check the actual Web site of the company posting the position to make sure it actually exists - if it's not on their site, it most likely doesn't exist.
-Guard Your Resume. Make sure you only upload your resume for legitimate purposes and companies - it often contains personal information, ripe for identity theft.
-Start with Trust. BBB recommends that job seekers check out companies first at bbb.org and apply to the acutal company site if possible.
-Never Pay Upfront Fees. No legitimate job offer will require out-of-pocket expenses from a potential employee for background checks, credit reports or administrative fees before an interview.
-Protect Personal Information. Job seekers should never provide their social security number or birth date until they have verified the position is legitimate. Additionally, job seekers should never provide bank account information for direct deposit setup until they have officially been hired.
-Be Careful of the "Perfect Offer". Be cautious of any postings advertising extremely high pay for short hours or minimal required experience - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
-Avoid Work-at-Home Offers. Most jobs that imply you can work from home are a ploy to trap you into giving away your credit card information, cashing fake checks, or paying for training that should be free. Job seekers should understand employees working from home generally go through the traditional in-person interviews and hiring process.
-Report Fraud. If you find a job scam or internet fraud, including Craigslist scams, report it to the BBB by emailing info@upstatenybbb.org and contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center at 800.251.3221 or go to www.ic3.gov.
Have you ever been a victim of an online scam? Leave a comment below and tell us about it.
