A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California,

April 26, 2023

JOB or BUSINESS SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

Scams show up as offers to help you start your own business or earn big bucks working from home.

Typical pitch: You got the job! Work from home and earn top dollar.

Scammers may have already sent you a big check to “buy supplies”.  (“Send us whatever is left, probably around $1,000,” they said.)  This dream job has earmarks of a scam.

There’s no sure-fire way to detect business or job opportunity scams, but these steps can help you decide whether an opportunity is the real deal or a scheme to get your money and personal information:

Do your own research. Don’t accept any job offer until you’ve checked it out. Scammers pretend to be both well-known and smaller companies, posting jobs on employment websites. So, reach out to the company directly using contact information you know is legit.

Never bank on a “cleared” check. No honest employer will ever send you a check and then tell you to buy supplies, gift cards, or something else and send back whatever money is left. That’s a fake check scam. The check will bounce, and the bank will want you to repay the amount of the fake check.

Learn more at ftc.gov/JobScams. And, if you spot a scam, please tell us at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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