Spot and Stop Job Scams this New Year

New year, new job? AARP Florida is here to set you up for success and protect you from fraud.

Whether you’re just beginning your career, reentering the workforce, or looking for a way to generate some extra income, you’ll need to be on the lookout for fraudulent job listings designed to steal your money and personal information. Scammers are creating fake business listings and websites, as well as posting phony job posts to popular job search sites that look more and more convincing to prospective applicants.

Here are some tips to stay safe while searching for that next job:

Work from home opportunities are highly sought-after, and scammers know it. Watch out for online ads or remote job postings that seem too good to be true. Some of these are:

- Reshipping Scams: These positions are often advertised as quality control managers, but once “hired,” you’re asked to receive packages at home, throw away their original packaging, and forward them to another address. Reshipping goods is not a real job. In fact, some victims of this scam have found unwittingly helped criminal traffic in stolen goods and money.

- Merchandise Resale: They say you can make money buying brand-name products for less-than-retail prices, and then reselling those products for a profit. However, the product will never arrive after payment or the product you receive is poor quality knock-off – either way leaving you at a financial loss rather than a gain.

This tactic is extremely common in both mystery shopping scams and job placement scams.

While getting paid to shop seems like the perfect gig, it may be fraudulent. If a company asks you to pay for your own “certifications” or to pre-purchase supplies and equipment from the company first, it’s likely fraud.

Similarly, if you discover an agency or placement firm that asks you for a fee in advance, it is probably a scam; an honest staffing agency will not charge you a fee for their services. It’s also always free to apply to a federal or postal via USAJOBS.gov or usps.com/employment. Do not respond to an ad that offers a fee for a federal job application.

There are many reputable websites you can use to look for a job. While sites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn are common picks, scammers like to lure candidates through fake profiles and job postings. But, did you know AARP offers job search advice, resources, and job postings through AARP’s Job Search Toolkit?

The Federal Trade Commission also recommends you bookmark these three websites for your next job search:

• USAJobs.gov — This is the federal government’s official site with job openings nationwide.
• CareerOneStop — Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop lists hundreds of thousands of jobs. It also links to employment and training programs in each state.
• USA.gov — Find local government websites, which list any open positions they may have on their websites.

If there’s a position you are interested in, search the company name and hiring manager online along with keywords like “scams,” “fraud,” or “complaint.” If you find any negative reviews about scams, you know to avoid applying.

To learn more about employment scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission website. If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam, you’re not alone, and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network Helpline is here to help.

Please visit aarp.org/FLfraud to learn about other resources and tips for protecting Floridians from fraud.