Beware of Holiday Job Scams!

Nov 10, 2023

A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties 

A BIG Thank you to Ayers Repairs in Santa Barbara for Supporting this Podcast

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Retailers and shippers
traditionally hire seasonal workers to fulfill holiday shoppers' demands, whether online
or in person. These jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the
possibility of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, they are
sometimes not all that they seem.

When looking for something part-time or to fill the gap until a better opportunity comes,
the Better Business Bureau has some suggestions to make the seasonal job hunt
successful. According to the 2022 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, employment scams
rose to the second riskiest in 2022. Being proactive in finding the right opportunity is
key, but be careful when a job just seems too good to be true.

Tips to avoid holiday job scams

● Employers will never ask for payment upfront for a job. Beware businesses that
ask applicants to pay for job supplies, application, or training fees. These
expenses are the employer's responsibility - and asking for money is a big red
flag that something is wrong.
● Be wary of job offers that don't require an interview. Even during the peak hiring
season, reputable companies prefer to talk to top job candidates before hiring
them. If a job offer is presented without an interview (on the phone or in person)
or is offered only via the Internet, question the company's hiring practices and do
a little more digging.
● Be wary of big money for small jobs. If an employer promises outrageously good
wages for simple tasks such as reshipping packages, stuffing envelopes, or
answering phones, this is a red flag. These too-good-to-be-true offers are an
attempt to steal your personal information from a fake job application and can
cause problems for you for a long time.
● Never work for a company before they hire you. A legitimate company will not
ask potential applicants to complete complex projects before making an official
offer. Before beginning any work, request an offer letter or written confirmation of
what the job entails, including an official start date and compensation details.

For more information

Read more about employment scams and how to avoid them.
For more holiday tips, visit the BBB Holiday Tips page.

Until Next Time!