How to Avoid Fake Remote Jobs?

Data from the Better Business Bureau show that job scams were on the upswing even before the outbreak. According to the BBB, the incidence of this kind of fraud climbed from 5.1per cent to 9.3 percent between 2017 and 2019. According to estimates, over $2 billion in damages resulted from 14 million victims of local and online employment scams.

Remote jobs scams not only cause you to lose money but also jeopardize your online safety and put you at risk of identity theft. Negative effects of participating in the fraud could include emotional and mental pain. Work from home or remote job scams was identified by the BBB Risk Index as the riskiest category of business-related trick in 2018 and 2019. These circumstances create the “ideal storm” for con artists.

What Are Remote Jobs Scams?

When a con artist posts a phoney employment opportunity with the intention of obtaining money or private information, it is called a remote job scam. People who are not aware with these scams may unintentionally provide the fake “employer” this information, which might put them at risk for identity theft or other online crimes.

Understanding remote job employment scams and how to prevent them is essential. Here are 9 methods to spot false WFH (work from home) remote jobs so you may conduct a job search free of scams.

1.  Assume You Might Fall for a Scam

The first and most crucial tactic is to continue being watchful. Users who are younger could believe they are too technologically advanced and clever to fall for an online scam. However, the BBB survey found that the 25 to 34 age group is more prone to falling for the scams, even while older persons (45+) lost more money as a result.

2.  Employer Has No Online Presence

Another effective technique to spot fraud is to investigate an employer’s web profile. Typically, employers include their website address or at the very least the name of the company somewhere in the job posting. When conducting your research, it’s a warning sign if you are unable to locate a relevant website. Even if they only have a simple drag-and-drop website and little social media presence, small businesses should still have some sort of online presence.

3.  Look for Website or Email Spoofing

Visit the website of a possible employer, and give it a critical evaluation. As was already established, many job fraudsters put in enormous hours to make the position seem legitimate. In actuality, the majority of participants claimed that they fell for an employment scam because it appeared trustworthy. Using authentic company names and information to pose as a legitimate corporation is one typical trick.

4.  No (Good) Company Reviews

Before applying, make sure the firm that is posting a remote job actually exists if you have never heard of it. The employer nearly always has a review of their goods and services online if a reliable firm posts the vacancy. Similar to the Virtual Vocations corporate database, information on significant employment policies and practices are hosted by a third party. Google, Bing, and LinkedIn are other resources for reviews and information searches.

5.  Check with the Better Business Bureau

The Better Company Bureau is a pioneer in monitoring, investigating, and educating the public about employment fraud and other allegations of shady business practices. When applying for remote job employment, it’s a wonderful idea to use The Scam Tracker as a resource. The BBB not only keeps an eye out for frauds but also certifies companies and provides letter grades based on reviews, complaints, and consumer feedback.

6.  Personal Information Is Asked for Upfront

Hackers, con artists, and other bad guys are fighting for your personal information online in order to commit crimes, steal your identity, or impersonate all your pals. The further terrible news? They are terrific at it, constantly thinking of fresh, original methods to draw you in. In actuality, 26% of those who reported remote job scams gave the con artists their Social Security or Social Insurance numbers, and 34% of those who reported employment scams gave the con artists a copy of their driver’s license. Because of this, job applicants should be wary of demands for sensitive personal information prior to onboarding. Make sure to confirm the legitimacy of the business, and even then, wait to give your details until after you’ve been hired.

7.  Email Address without a Clear Company Name

The majority of trustworthy businesses have email addresses that include the firm name in some form after the @ sign. When prompted to send an application to a personal email address or one that has a lot of random digits, take caution. You should not send remote job application to an email address that is not an official email domain address, even if the platform is trustworthy, like Gmail or Yahoo.

8.  Job Opening Conveys Great Urgency

Be wary of offers that are made in a haste or too hastily. A job posting that demands a quick commitment from you should raise suspicions. Scammers typically place strict deadlines on your application and urge you to “act immediately.” They could also make an effort to spread misunderstanding. This strategy aims to stop you from carrying out your customary due diligence before responding to the advertisement.

9.  Poor Quality Job Ad

The level of the job description and criteria is one of the key indicators of a job advertising hoax. Multiple spelling and grammar mistakes indicate that the message is probably a hoax. Additionally, check for information on the duties, daily tasks, and job responsibilities. Realistic education, experience, and skill requirements should also be included in job postings.