Fake Online Job Ads
Many online job sites (especially free sites like Craigslist) are popular forums for scammers. Scam job posts are often found in the part-time or entry-level job categories, but can exist for all types of jobs. Popular scams often promise high income for little experience or the ability to work from home.
The scam postings may list jobs which don’t exist. You are then directed to fee-based services or sites where you are instructed to enter personal information that is used for identity theft.
If a position or job offer seems to be too good to be true, proceed with extreme caution.
Some Online Job Scam Warning Signs
- You’re offered a job without an application or interview
- The company asks you to wire money or asks for your credit card information.
- You are promised high pay for not much work
- The company asks you to pay for a credit report as part of the application process or to pay for training
- You receive a quick response to your email inquiry that tells you they have reviewed your resume when you didn’t even send it
- There is no job contact information. A real job post will provide a contact email or give you a valid company website
- You receive a response to your email from someone in a foreign country looking to hire people in Canada to handle accounts payable or receivables
Tips for Avoiding Online Job Scams:
- Check the company name, the address to send a resume to, the email address, or the phone number, through a search engine and add the word “scam”.
- Do your homework by checking websites and doing a search of the company before responding. Research the company to see if they are legitimate and get as much contact information as you can including the employer’s name, address, phone number, website and email address. Try searching the company in LinkedIn to find existing employees in the organization.
- Watch out for Phishing: phishing refers to emails and websites designed to look like they come from well-known and trusted businesses in an attempt to collect personal or financial information. Be extremely cautious when responding to unsolicited e-mails from supposed employers—even if the company name is well-known. Never click on any link or submit any information on a website you’ve been sent by email. These links can lead to websites that look legitimate but are run by scammers.
You can also try sending them an email or phone the company to check if the company is what it claims to be. Ask to speak to the relevant contact person or Human Resources staff member about the advertised job.
You can research companies through sources like the Better Business Bureau, and other business directories. Some sources to try:
