Don’t get scammed on pay day

Finding a job that works for you isn’t easy. And that search can become a lot harder if you get sucked into an employment scam. Whether applying for remote jobs, responding to social media job postings, or trying for a government position, thousands of Americans who believe they’re about to get paid are actually about to fall victim to a scam.

Working from home is ideal for some and a trap for others. In 2021, The Federal Trade Commission has reported over 15,000 complaints from workers who thought they were getting employed but instead were being robbed. If a job you apply for online requires you to buy something before the hiring process can start, walk away.

Finally all that scrolling has paid off - you found your next job through social media! But after submitting your employment forms, there’s a training fee to secure the job. Since scammers know it’s harder to say, “no” once you’ve already said, “yes,” they lure you into giving up your money instead of paying you any salary. You should never have to pay to work.

A great government job is hard to find. If you find one online that insists you buy certain study materials to pass the exam, take this as a red flag. In 2021, fake government jobs were one of the employment scams that cost Americans over $47 million. If you have to send money before your hire date, find another job.

Be careful before you jump at a job you found online. If the employer wants you to pay up before you collect a salary, it’s time to go back to the job hunt. Even though applying for work is unpaid and tiring, it’s far better than losing what you have and becoming just another employment scam victim.