A warning from the Better Business Bureau to beware of summer job scams.
Students have begun their search, but the Bureau says employment scams are among the riskiest across Canada.
They’re urging job seekers to be on the lookout for fake job postings.
Last year, the Bureau’s Canadian Scam tracker risk report identified students and those between the ages of 25 and 34 to be the most susceptible and likely to be victimized by employment scams.
“More than half of employment scam victims were seeking work-from-home opportunities,” explains Kristin Matthews, Marketing & Communications Specialist at BBB Serving the Atlantic Provinces. “As students search for flexible employment options, they need to keep in mind that not all the jobs being posted are legitimate, and remember to verify details before submitting resumes with all their personal information. Employment scams don’t just affect those who lose money. For every employment scam victim who lost money last year, at least one other worked without pay, and yet another lost personal information that could lead to identity theft.”
Sixty-five per cent were of fake job postings were related to roles including positions described as warehouse redistribution coordinators, or reshipment of packages, which may involve stolen goods.
In many cases, the Bureau says scammers impersonated well-known retailers including Amazon and Walmart.
To avoid employment scams targeting students looking for summertime employment, BBB is sharing the following tips:
- Some positions are more likely to be scams. Be wary of package reshipment and secret shopper positions, as well as any jobs with generic titles such as caregiver, administrative assistant or customer service representative. Positions that do not require special training or knowledge appeal to a wide range of applicants, which scammers use to cast a wider net for potential victims. If the job posting is for a well-known company, check the company’s website to see if the position is legitimate. If the posting can be found in multiple cities with the exact same wording, it may be a scam. Jobs that advertise themselves as “high pay and flexible schedules” are extremely appealing to students searching for summer jobs, a fact that scammers actively use to their advantage. Be cautious of postings that use this type of language.
- Be wary of aggressive employment offers. Pressure from the employer to onboard immediately may be a red flag. Choosing a place to work is an important decision that requires time for consideration. Be especially wary if the position is offered without an interview or promises a large income under the condition the employee pays for coaching, training, equipment or certifications.
- Do not deposit unexpected or suspicious cheques. Be cautious with your Social Insurance Number and banking information. Also, watch out for signs of an overpayment scam. Legitimate companies will not overpay an employee and ask for compensation by requiring money to be wired elsewhere.
- Get contracts in writing. Employee requirements, qualifications, job duties, remuneration and the duration of employment should all be in writing.
