Watch Out for Fake Holiday Job Scams
Friday, December 8, 2023
This time of year, you may be looking for part-time, seasonal work to help pay extra bills or buy gifts for loved ones. Businesses, too, will be seeking extra help to meet the demands of the holiday season. As legitimate employers begin posting job advertisements, scammers will do the same to try and steal your money and personal information. If you’re looking for work this holiday season, follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a scam:
- Verify that a job offer is real. Search online for the company’s website, phone number, or email address and reach out directly to them to confirm that the job listing is real. Job applications will ask for sensitive information such as a driver’s license, Social Security number, or bank account information, so you need to be sure the offer is legitimate before giving out that information.
- Research the company you’re interested in. If you’re skeptical about a company, check with the Better Business Bureau and the Secretary of State’s Office. You can also call our office’s Consumer Protection Division to check if the business has any complaints against it.
- Never pay money for a job. Scammers often ask for upfront payments to pay for application fees, job training, or other bogus expenses. An honest employer will never ask an applicant for money. If you’re required to make upfront payments, it is a scam.
- Avoid offers that seem too good to be true. If a job listing advertises significant pay for minimal work, avoid it. Take your time when deciding on a new job opportunity and remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If you think you may have been a victim of an employment scam, call our office at 877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at https://ncdoj.gov/complaint.
