Fighting Internet Fraud

EmploymentGuide.com actively screens for fraudulent job postings and takes proactive action by removing and reporting the fraud to the proper agencies. We value each jobseeker as they use our service to find an employment opportunity, and want to keep each jobseeker up to date on job posting fraud as it comes to our attention.

Commonly used employment fraud:

Phishing:

These scams are created to attempt to get your personal information. The scam starts by posting positions that do not exists. These job postings are very legitimate looking with company logos, salary information and website. As you apply to their position you are providing them with your personal information (address, phone number, e-mail address, etc.), they then take your personal information and sell it to third party vendors.

The thing to watch with these scams is the "too good to be true" statements. They usually promise a much higher wage than average for the position you are applying for or boasting that they are willing to pay you for work that you do not do.

Reshipping:

These scams begin with an offer for employment. These "employers" offer legitimate looking contracts and other documentation to make them appear legitimate. Once they have your trust, packages are shipped to your residence with reshipping instructions. Once the package has been shipped from your residence or choice of shipping service you are now considered guilty of shipping of stolen property.

Work at Home Scams:

Envelope Stuffing:

These opportunities usually incorporate a "registration fee" to be paid before you can begin work. When you pay the "registration fee" you receive a letter in the mail that asks you to place an ad identical to the ad you applied to in your choice of advertisement listing your contact information. When you place the ad as people send you their "registration fee" you make your money. The amount of money that you make is dependent on the number of people that answer your ad. There is really no envelope stuffing involved.

Purchasing Lists:

This work at home opportunity asks you to pay for a comprehensive list of work at home opportunities in your area. These list are usually extremely out dates and worthless to most.

Avoiding Fraud:

Here are some tips to protect you from commonly used employment fraud.

• Investigate thoroughly. Use search engines, yellow pages, and any means you currently have to ensure that this business is legitimate.
• Ask for references. If you cannot find any information on the Internet about the company and you feel things are "too good to be true" ask to speak to an employee before accepting any position or providing payment or personal information.
• Get all promises in writing. If you apply to a position and they are still promising the higher than average wages and the legitimacy of the company ask them to draft something for you in writing.
• Do not provide key pieces of information. It is never required for you to provide your social security number of driver's license number to apply for a position. If you are offered a position, this information may be required.
• Ask detailed questions. The more questions you ask the employer the more they will have to disclose about the position.
• Use the Better Business Bureau. They have a website at www.bbb.org where you can do more in-depth research on companies that you are looking to apply to.