How to determine if a job offer is a scam or not?/ Signs of scam

How to avoid Scammers online.

Online jobs is currently coming up as the most prominent employment technique for most people taking into account that job opportunities are becoming limited as the population increase.

Using the Internet to search for this types jobs is the most practical and convenient way to today. Unfortunately, some people are misusing  the same technological by taking advantage  of people desperate for work-at-home jobs, They work as scammers, hackers, and thieves who just rely on other job seekers sweat by providing false information in which they can steal  their money.

What is a job scam? A job scam occurs when a scammer poses as an employer or recruiter, and offers attractive employment opportunities which require that the job seeker pay money in advance. This is usually under the guise of work visas, travel expenses or background and or credit checks that are required for the job. Once the money has been paid over the scammer disappears, and the job seeker is left with no job, and out of pocket.

Although unethical, many scammers are smart. They know how to trick job seekers into believing they are legitimate employers offering real work-at-home opportunities. Job seekers are at risk of falling victim to a variety of scams that can potentially cost them money and put their identities and computers at risk.

Whatever the scammer’s technique is and how they go about their operations, their goal is always the same. To separate you from your cash, or to obtain your confidential personal information, that can be used in identity theft.

The problem is, that scammers are becoming more and more crafty in the way they operate, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to know what is a scam and what is a legitimate job opening.

While job scammers have adapted their tactics over time, there are still some hard-and-fast signs that a job is a scam. Here are some basic signs of a job scam:

1. Never part with your money. The golden rule is, any job offer that requires that you pay a fee in advance, is probably a scam. Most reputable companies will absorb these costs themselves. Another warning sign, is if the recruiter offers to train you for the job, in return for money. NEVER pay money across ever. No legitimate company or recruiter will ask for money upfront. Not for anything.
2. Do some research on the company. Visit the company’s website. If they do not have one, or it does not have contact details, then you need to tread cautiously. If there is a company website, compare the contact numbers, email addresses etc., to what would appear when doing a Google on the company or in a company directory.
3. Free email accounts. Any recruiter or company that corresponds from a free email account such as Yahoo, Live, Hotmail or Gmail is very likely a scammer. Legitimate job related emails will come from corporate email accounts.
4. Do a Google search on the company. Do a search on the company name and see what information you can find. Compare it to the information that you have been sent.
5. Check scam lists. Always check with organisations such as Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to see if the company has been reported as a scammer.
6. Offers without interviews. Always remember that reputable companies are not going to offer you a role without interviewing your first. Flattering as it may seem that they were so impressed with your resume, that they have offered you a position without meeting you first, the reality is, that you are probably being scammed if this happens. Never, ever accept a job offer that has come through via email, when you have never had a telephonic or face-to-face interview. In this because we rely mostly on internet, legit company will always take time to review your applications but not accept your application abruptly. 
7. Work from home. If this appears in the job title, the chances are very real that it is a scam. The chances of making money in your pajamas may sound enticing, and the idea of making a lot of money whilst being able to work from home is just too good to pass for many gullible job seekers, and because of this, it is a favorite with scammers. Unsuspecting job seekers have been falling for this type of scam for years now.
8. Receiving offers for jobs you did not apply for. If you receive an offer in your inbox for a job that you have not even applied for, and it sounds too good to be true, then it is too good to be true. This mostly happens through emailing, you just receives emails that they offer jobs and you didn't apply.
9. Salaries that are way over what you would normally earn. Getting paid a really high salary is not the norm for all job seekers. Any legitimate employer will evaluate your skill set and experience, before deciding on what you are worth. If the company offers you a salary that is completely out of your range, and experience, you are probably in the process of being scammed.
10. Don’t hand out personal information. Never part with your social security number or personal information. By divulging this information, you may just be setting the scene for the scammer to pose as you to apply for credit cards, and run up massive bills in your name and ruin your credit record. The only time you should be handing over personal information such as social security numbers, is after you have been hired and are setting up payment and tax information.
11. Also be cautious of emails with grammatical and spelling mistakes. Most online fraud is carried out by scammers who don't understand english, with English often not being their home language, so check the grammar and spelling carefully when communicating.
12. Fake URLs (websites). Scammers often use fake URLs to mask themselves as large well known corporates. Double check the URL, or the web address of the company. You may think that you are on a well-known company’s website, when you are actually on a bogus website. So always check the URL first. Secured website has high probability to be legit but be aware still because nowadays they know how to play the game well.
13. Vague sketchy job descriptions. If you read the job description and at the end of it, you are not really sure what the job actually entails, or if the role states that there is no specific skill necessary for the job, you are probably about to be scammed. The majority of jobs will require at least some experience or qualification to accept you as their worker.
14. You’re asked for personal financial information—such as your Social Security number, your bank account, your home address and phone number, your date of birth, etc.—early on in the job interview process.
15. The job pays a lot of money for little work. After all, if it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
16. The job posting has glaring grammatical or spelling errors.
17. The contact email address is personal (e.g., smithjohn2324546gmail.com) or johnkamuren@dellcomputercompany.com).
18. A recruiter offers you the job immediately without verifying your work experience or doesn’t ask for references.

It is always important to Avoid these some keywords when looking for online jobs. This is because they will likely lead you to scammed online jobs offering. Some of the examples are listed below

• work from home ideas
• free work from home jobs
• legit work from home
• work from home stuffing envelopes
• work from home opportunities

• free work from home
• work from home for free
• work from home free
• work from home data entry
• online jobs work from home
• work from home jobs
• work from home moms

Although the keywords above may actually give you some legitimate results, they will undoubtedly give you dangerous ones as well or lead you to where scammed job offering have crowded and Identifying legit one may proof very difficult. It is best to avoid the words such as “free” in all online searches and to try to replace the phrase “work from home” with other works for example “telecommute” or “remote.” etc. 

The consequences of falling into the hands of scammers can be very devastating and frustrating. Some of the ways include identity theft, the loss of your hard earned money, and illegal charges to your credit card. It can be a very hard lesson to have to learn, and devastating for already cash strapped job seekers. Don’t learn the hard way. Before falling prey to unscrupulous scammers, do your homework and checks very carefully before submitting your information. Do an extensive research on any online job offered you are interested by either googling company itself & their past work, search the company in YouTube and also you can ask your friends about it etc. 

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