TOLEDO, Ohio — The Better Business Bureau is seeing an uptick in online job scams affecting people across the U.S. and is offering safety tips for those looking to work from home.
"I know you want a good job, right? But you've got to protect yourself and the markets changed, and it just requires that you be extra careful now," said Lane Montz, president and CEO of the Toledo BBB.
Since the pandemic, working from home has become more popular and scammers know it. Montz said this is just one of the reasons for a rise in fake job postings on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
"They want your money. If they can't get that, and even if they can get that, they want your personal information so they can take more from you later," Montz said. "When you see something that interests you before you respond you have to stop pump the brakes and do some independent research."
How can you protect yourself and spot a scam? Here are some red flags:
- vague job descriptions and claims that you can make hundreds or thousands of dollars doing very little work
- the company doesn't have a website
- being hired without ever meeting anyone in person
- being asked to purchase prepaid money cards or wire transfer money
Montz said the BBB gets hundreds of calls a week from people who feel they have been scammed by a work-from-home job posting. He advises thorough research before applying.
"People get excited about thinking that they have a job so they are willing to share social security numbers, birthdays, maybe even bank account numbers," Montz said. "It's a real double whammy because people are hoping to have a job and make money, but not only do they not get the job, they get taken for a ride."
If you believe your personal information has been compromised or you have been scammed for money, you are advised to act fast and contact law enforcement.
For more ways to apply for online jobs safely visit the Ohio Attorney General's Office or Better Business Bureau websites.