Job seekers beware! Bogus foreign companies are advertising in help
wanted ads on Internet job sites like Monster.com, CareerBuilders.com
or Yahoo HotJobs. The ads claim to be looking for an "import/export
specialist," "marketing manager," or "financial manager." Job seekers
are asked to forward money from one account to another or to reship
stolen merchandise to overseas companies as part of their employment
duties. Consumers who respond to the ads are told that the employer is
in a foreign country and needs an American contact to handle its
business in the U.S.
In one scenario a job applicant was hired to repackage and reship
merchandise to a foreign company. What the applicant did not know is
that the merchandise was ordered from mail order companies or Internet
auction sites, but had never been paid for.
In another scenario, a job seeker was hired to collect payments from
clients in the U.S. and in turn wire the money to a company located
overseas. The employee was instructed to keep a percentage of the money
as his or her pay. The employee later found out that the collected
payments were for non-existent merchandise sold through online auction
sites. Auction bidders, would bid on an item and send in their payment
to the seller, only to find out later that the merchandise never
existed.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help job seekers avoid these types of scams:
-
Avoid job listings that use these descriptions: “package forwarding,”
“reshipping,” “money transfers,” “wiring funds” and “foreign agent
agreements.” These and similar phrases should raise a red flag.
- Do
not be fooled by official-sounding corporate names. Some scam artists
operate under names that sound like those of long-standing, reputable
firms.
- Never forward or transfer money from any of your
personal accounts on behalf of your employer. Also, be suspicious if
you are asked to “wire” money to an employer. If a legitimate job
requires you to make money transfers, the money should be withdrawn
from the employer’s business account, not yours.
- Do not
give out your personal financial information. A potential legitimate
employer will not request your bank account, credit card or Paypal
account number. Only provide your banking information if you are hired
by a legitimate company and you choose to have your paycheck direct
deposited.
- Do not fax copies of your ID or Social
Security number to someone you have never met. Credit checks and fake
IDs can be obtained with this information. Only give these documents to
your employer when you are physically at the place of employment.
- If you have questions about the legitimacy of a job listing, contact your Better Business Bureau, your state or local consumer agency or the Federal Trade Commission.
