Beware of Job Scams

Many people are looking for ways to make money working from home. You may see ads for a variety of work-from-home jobs such as internet businesses, shipping or mailing work, sales, and more. Unfortunately, many of these “jobs” are scams. If you’re thinking about a work-from-home gig, here are some things to keep in mind.

• • Never pay to get a job. Scammers may say they’ve got a job waiting if you just pay a fee for certification, training, equipment, or supplies. But after you pay, the job doesn’t materialize.

• • Don’t supply your credit card or bank account information for a job. Legitimate companies won’t ask for this.

• • Avoid fake job ads. Some scammers pay to have their ads or websites appear at the top of your searches. Search online for the name, email address, and phone number of potential employers. You may find complaints by others who’ve been scammed. To find legitimate job listings, visit Career OneStop. Enter the type of job and your zip code to see a list of legitimate jobs.

• • Don’t believe ads for “previously undisclosed” government jobs. Information about federal jobs is free at usajobs.gov.

• • Check out a potential employer with your local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau to find out whether the business is operating in a trustworthy manner.

If an employer sends you a check to purchase equipment or pay for items needed for the job, that’s a red flag. Typically, they’ll ask you to deposit the check into your account and send back a check or money order for a lesser amount. Days later, you learn their check is fraudulent and you’re out the money you sent.

If you’ve received a check and are unsure, take it to the financial institution on which it’s drawn. They’ll be able to tell if it’s legitimate. If you think the check is part of a scam, please email our fraud team at accountfraud@redwoodcu.org, or log in to your RCU account to send a secure message. You can also report scams to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.