Street Smarts
by will dehoo, dcu show me spokesperson

Watch Out for Job Scams!

As you have been hearing, the economy is bad. People are losing jobs and are out of money. If you're looking for a job, here's something you have to think about: being scammed in the job hunt.

Job scams happen to young people around the country more and more. Here are three things to watch out for:

1. Pay first scams. These scams target unemployed people looking for jobs. Most of the time, you're guaranteed a job after you pay a "registration" or "administrative" fee. Since you're a little desperate for the job or money, you jump into the venture without giving it too much thought. The scammers offer you a (great) job with (great) pay and few hours. Of course, there's no real job involved here.

What do you do? Don't consider a job that involves paying money first. Or, if the job sounds like it may be legitimate (most aren't), do some research before forking over the cash. You may ask, "How do I research a job?" Read the labor contract. Google the company. Do everything you can to make sure the company exists. You should take a job like this with great caution.

2. Money mule scams. You're offered a job with great pay and few hours. All you have to do is allow money to be wired to your account, and you wire it to somebody else. Sounds great, if it weren't for the criminals involved! The money you're allowing into your account is illegal, and you're laundering money.

What do you do? Run! This is where the rule "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" applies. When the police get involved, you will be the one busted.

3. "Too good to be true" scams. Ever seen this ad? "Earn $1,000 a day! Or earn $50-$200 an hour!" First, don't believe "too good to be true" ads. Second, expect a pitch like this: To get this great job, you first have to buy an "online automated money system" for $49.95. On the next page they ask for your name, address, and credit card details.

What do you do? Be very cautious. Most likely this is a form of identity theft. Never enter credit card information with a company you are unfamiliar with.

Now, I don't want to depress you, but these three tidbits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scams aimed at you. How do you keep from being fooled by all these scams? Head to dcu.org and check out all the anti-scam stories in the articles section of our "Show Me" website. You can find "Show Me" on the right side of the DCU homepage!

Cheers,
Will