According to data from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost about $10 billion to scammers in a recent year. Business impostors have proliferated in recent years, with job opportunity scams claiming a spot in the top five forms of fraud.
To many in the workforce, helping another person manage their life and career as a personal assistant seems appealing, especially if the job can be done from home. If you’ve been scouring job boards for remote work opportunities, you’ve likely encountered a few personal assistant job scams without knowing it. You may even have been contacted directly about them.
Unfortunately, falling victim to a job scam can cost you dearly. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this scenario and find real job opportunities.
Questionable Grammar and Spelling
Legitimate employers are concerned about their public image. Consequently, they painstakingly comb over job ads to correct punctuation, diction, and spelling errors. They know that typos and mistakes hurt their reputation.
Scammers don’t usually have these same concerns. Communication riddled with poor grammar and spelling should give you pause to investigate the situation further and determine whether the opportunity is legitimate.
Missing Employer Information or Lack of Employer Presence
Legitimate employers seek to build trust with potential candidates by providing as much information about themselves or their company as possible. If there’s no information about who’s doing the hiring, you may have run into a scam.
Still, don’t ignore the fact that some scammers know this and use fake or defunct company names to look legitimate.
Before responding, search for:
- A company website
- A physical address
- Contact numbers
Verify this information before you move forward — it’s incredibly difficult to sue a scammer for breach of contract or other violations.
Asking for Money or Asking You to Handle Money
Real employers pay you. A legitimate company won’t ask job candidates for money, and it won’t require new employees to handle large sums of money right away. Another red flag is if a potential employer asks you to send money overseas.
During the job search process, don’t accept checks from anyone you don’t know, especially if you have yet to earn any wages. A scammer might pretend to overpay you and request that you send a portion of the payment back. When the bank discovers that the check was fraudulent, you will be left responsible for the entire amount, including any fees.
Immediately Offering You a Position With the Company
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that administrative assistant positions are expected to grow over the next decade. While legitimate employers may be eager to hire, they’re also likely to take their time with your application.
Hiring managers need to read resumes, interview candidates, and verify backgrounds and employment experience. If you receive a message offering you a job that starts right away, or if you contact a potential employer and receive an immediate offer, you are likely dealing with a scammer.
A Proactive Approach to Vetting Opportunities Can Go a Long Way
When you’re looking for a job, any interest from a potential employer may seem like a lifeline. If you’re offered a personal assistant job that suits you, don’t give in to joy, relief, and other emotions. Keep your head and thoroughly vet the opportunity to determine its legitimacy.
Before you sign on the dotted line for any position, it’s a good idea to get in touch with an employment lawyer. Whether the opportunity is legitimate or a scam, your lawyer can identify any red flags in your contract and explain your rights as an employee.
Contact the Phoenix Employment Attorneys at Houk Employment Attorneys Today For Help With Your Case
For more information, please contact an experienced employment attorneys at Houk Employment Attorneys to schedule an initial consultation today. Our employment law firm is conveniently located near you. We have an office in Phoenix, AZ.
Houk Employment Attorneys
1850 N Central Ave Suite 2010, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 569-2377
