Holiday Job Scams Are Everywhere! Here’s How to Avoid Getting Tricked

Looking for a job this holiday season? Be careful—scammers are out there waiting to fool job seekers with fake offers!

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is raising the alarm because job scams are on the rise, especially around the holidays when lots of people are looking for seasonal work.

In fact, job scams were the second riskiest scams in 2023, with people losing an average of $1,995 per scam.

Yikes! Don’t let it happen to you. Here’s how to spot the red flags and stay safe:

🚩 Big Red Flags to Watch Out For:

1. They ask you for money upfront.
   If the job wants you to pay for application fees, supplies, or anything else, that’s a huge warning sign. Real employers pay you—not the other way around.
2. You get hired without an interview.
   A legit company will want to meet you or chat with you first. If they offer you a job out of nowhere, it’s probably a scam.
3. The job sounds too good to be true.
   “Make $5,000 a week working from home!”—sound familiar? If it seems unreal, it probably is. Be cautious of over-the-top promises.
4. They ask for personal info right away.
   Scammers may ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank account details before you’re even hired. Never share this info until you’re absolutely sure the job is legit.

💡 Extra Tips to Protect Yourself:

• Do your homework.
  Research the company online. Look for reviews or complaints. If you can’t find much info or the website seems sketchy, trust your gut.
• Trust the job boards.
  Stick to trusted job search sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor. They have measures in place to filter out scams.
• Be cautious with remote jobs.
  While many remote jobs are legit, scammers often use this as a hook. Always verify the company and offer before moving forward.
• Check for proper communication.
  Legit companies will use professional email addresses (not Gmail or Yahoo accounts) and provide clear job details.
• Talk to someone you trust.
  If a job offer feels off, share it with a family member or friend for a second opinion.

🚨 What to Do If You Spot a Scam:

• Report it to the BBB Scam Tracker or FTC.
• Block the scammer’s email or phone number.
• Share the experience to warn others.

The holidays should be about joy, not stress over losing money to scammers. Stay sharp, trust your instincts, and happy job hunting!

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