These days, almost everyone posts or finds jobs online. What could be easier than opening a web browser, clicking through some search fields, and getting a list of jobs that are right for you? Enter, online work scams.
What is an Online Work Scam?
An online work scam is a job listing that promises easy work for great pay. But it often results in hard work for little or no pay. People who post these scams are crafty. They might create job listings that look and feel real. They may even create fake companies, websites, and more to lure you in.
Tips to Avoid Work Scams
You can avoid online work scams by learning what to look for. Here are some tips.
1. Jobs that sound too good to be true probably are. Watch out for:
- Work-from-home jobs
- Jobs that require no experience
- Jobs that promise a very high starting salary
- Ads that use words like “earn up to”
2. Companies that ask you to pay for things to get the job are running a scam. You might be asked to pay for training or supplies. Once the company has your money, they may never contact you again. Or they may claim you failed to qualify for the job. Worse, they may steal your identity if you pay by credit card. Never give money or a credit card number to any company advertising a job.
3. Sometimes, the way a job posting looks can tip you off that it’s a scam. Postings might use all capital letters, a lot of exclamation points, or other symbols. That’s a clue that these postings could be scams. Here’s an example:
4. Use government-run job search sites. For example, WorkInTexas.com is run by the Texas Workforce Commission. It has been active for over 20 years. Job seekers can find jobs across the state. Most states and some large cities have similar sites for their areas.
5. Use websites that have been around for a long time. Three of the most used are indeed.com, monster.com, and careerbuilder.com. All three sites say they protect job seekers from scams. All three also have helpful articles on how to avoid work scams. But they also say that there is no sure way to keep scammers from posting.
Falling for a work scam can be devastating. You could lose money, valuable job-searching time, and self-confidence. To avoid these scams, learn what to look for and how to protect yourself.
Learn More
Virtual Job Coach is dedicated to helping our learners find good, safe jobs. Learn more about this topic in our course Finding Jobs to Apply For.
- Self-Advocate Course (learn on your own)
- Partner Edition (for parents, support staff, or other partners)
- Instructor Edition (for transition classroom teachers and service providers)
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