Tips on How to Avoid Internet Jobs Scams
The Internet is filled with Internet jobs scams and it is quite hard to avoid them because so much effort is put into making them attractive. It is easy to be tricked and this can only mean wasting your time and effort for basically nothing. This is why it is really important to focus on learning how to avoid these Internet jobs scams. Let us see what you can do.
Researching the Company and the Job
It is common sense but so many people forget this. When you go to the supermarket and buy a beer, you will most likely buy one that you know you like and that is offered by a good company. That is what has to be done here too. Look at the website of the company that listed the job and if you do not find one, then slow down as you might be in front of a scam. We recommend that you pay close attention to contact information and if there is a phone number, you do want to call it to see if it is real.
A good trick is to use a major search engine to learn more information about the company or the job offer. You can even add the term “scam” to see if there are any reports that you might be faced with such an unwanted scenario. However, you have to be careful and just look at reports and reviews that you can trust.
Looking at Scam List Sites
Since there are so many Internet jobs scams out there, there are also many sites that create lists of scams. You can check with the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau and you can also check out RipOffReport to see if the company that you’re looking at was reported as being a scammer.
Never Pay Anything!
You are looking for an Internet job. Why should you pay money to get it? A legitimate employer will never ask you for money in order to hire you. Never send money for access to a work at home job directory, for advice on how to get higher chances of being hired, for company information or for anything that is linked to a job. There is a huge chance that you are looking at Internet jobs scams that simply want some money.
Looking at References!
When someone wants to hire you, they will ask for references. You are entitled to do the exact same thing. If you do not know whether or not a firm is legitimate, you can ask for a list of other contractors or employees. When firms do not want to offer references, you are almost sure that it is one of those companies that are in the business of running Internet jobs scams, no matter the reason that is given to you.
The tips mentioned above are really important and they will help you out a lot so that you won’t get scammed. It is a very good idea to use your common sense too. If you see an offer that is too good to be true, there’s a good chance that it probably is. If you are told you will make $100 an hour typing a 2-page document, you can be sure that you will never see the money. Who would pay so much? Avoiding scams is also linked to common sense.
Our top 6 Jobs Scam Hints
A lot of people nowadays are looking for tips to avoid job scams. This is a little bit of a surprise considering the fact that the employment situation is supposedly improving. While it’s true that the employment rate in the US has improved at 8.1% last April 2012, there are still 12.5 million unemployed individuals. It’s a known fact that a lot of them are a little desperate to get hired and this is why there are a lot of opportunistic individuals that take advantage of them.
1. Always be cautious when searching online for jobs
It’s really unfortunate that a lot of jobseekers are being burned by job scams. If you’re a jobseeker, it’s important that you avoid being a statistic. You’re already a part of a statistic as someone who’s unemployed. Follow these tips to avoid job scams so you don’t have to be a part of another statistic – jobseekers that got scammed.
2. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
This is a common saying and it applies to job opportunities as well. A lot of these scams are offering top-level salary for little to no work. Don’t be tempted. At the very least, do your research.
3. Do your research.
To add more information, you have to do your research for every job opportunity that you’re considering. This is one of the most logical tips to avoid job scams. By doing so, you can find out more information about the opportunities. You can check out the companies behind them and you can see if they’re legitimate or not. You can check the Better Business Bureau and Ripoff Report for starters.
This is where most people get scammed. Unless you’re hiring a company to help you find a job, there’s no reason why you should pay an upfront fee during the application process. But still, be careful in choosing a company that will help you find a job. This is especially true with companies offering unsolicited help, usually via email. Again, do your research about the company.Be careful about opportunities that require you to pay an upfront fee.
4. Be careful about jobs that require you to reach a milestone before getting paid.
5. Expect a lot of scams on sites like Craigslist.
It’s true that sites like Craigslist are gifts to jobseekers. If you’re really careful, you can really land a legitimate job. But their popularity is a double-edged sword. These sites attract a lot of scammers as well. It’s best to stick to applying via the company’s website. Just make sure that you do your research about the company.
6. Apply in person.
If you’re applying in person, it’s easier to smell a scam. Go to a trusted job fair and your chances of getting scammed will be slim to none.
Even if you’re already desperate, don’t dig a deeper hole for yourself. Follow these tips to avoid job scams and you can save yourself from headaches brought upon by getting scammed.
Checkout the Ftc Job Scam page for more valuable information
About Harry Toumbas
Employment, Career and Job Search entrepreneur.
Over 10 years experience in Human Resources, Relations and Employment. Employment officer for multi million dollar business's overseeing 100's of employees.
