BBB warns fake remote job offers are on the rise

(InvestigateTV) — As demand for remote work grows, the Better Business Bureau says employment scams are growing with it — and some can be difficult to spot.

BBB spokesperson Josh Planos said scammers are increasingly targeting people who are actively looking for work.

“A huge percentage of scam-related activity in this country preys on people who live on the margins — people who cannot afford to have this experience,” Planos said. “And no one should be subjected to scams.”

Planos said scammers are taking advantage of the surge in demand for remote and virtual job opportunities.

“People are looking for remote and virtual opportunities in ways that they never have before, but they’re also being exposed to scams that very neatly mirror what have been in place for a very long time,” Planos said.

One growing tactic identified by the BBB involves so-called task-based jobs, where applicants are asked to watch or like videos online to boost engagement. The scam can make it appear the person is earning money, but when they attempt to cash out, they are told to send money first to unlock those earnings. That money goes to the scammers.

Planos said employment scams also frequently involve the collection of personal information.

“In many other cases, we hear from folks who are agreeing to sign over all sorts of personally identifiable information, bank account information, information you wouldn’t want in the wrong hands — for jobs that aren’t real and never will be real,” Planos said.

The BBB recommends the following steps for job seekers:

• Research the person who contacted you and verify the job through the company’s official website.
• Watch out for reshipping scams, where applicants are asked to receive, inspect and forward packages.
• Be wary of any job offer that seems too good to be true, especially if there is no formal interview.
• If you receive a text message saying you got a job you did not apply for, report it and delete it.