“Fraudsters take advantage of job seekers eager to find work to steal their money or personal information,” Nessel said. “When looking for a new job, stay vigilant and use trusted job search sources to protect yourself from employment scams.”
Most job searchers go online and post their resume on job search sites or social media apps. Unfortunately, both legitimate employers and scammers also post job openings on these platforms. Watch for some of these red flags when applying to jobs online:
- You receive an unsolicited request for an immediate interview.
- Poor spelling or grammar in a job offer email.
- The email comes from a personal email account rather than a business account.
- The interview is conducted only online through video chats.
- Offers a salary that is higher than normal for that position.
- There are up-front money requests for things like start-up equipment or background checks.
-
A job is offered without verifying work experience or asking for references.
To protect yourself from job scams, follow these precautions:
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails. Especially if they come from unfamiliar sources.
- Confirm that the email address comes from the company’s domain. It should not come from a personal or unaffiliated email.
- Do an online search for that company using their name or the sender’s name. Include the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
- Contact the company directly with the contact information you have confirmed is theirs.
-
Check out the company on the Better Business Bureau's website.
- Beware of a company that refuses to send written information or provide a physical street address before you commit to taking a job.
-
Beware of any company that sends you a check and asks you to advance money out of your own bank account. Some scammers may send a check that later does not clear as a way of tricking you into spending your own money.
When searching online for a job, use safe and reliable sources, including:
-
CareerOneStop — Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop lists hundreds of thousands of jobs. It also links to employment and training programs in each state.
-
USA.gov — Hosts local government websites that list any open positions they may have on their websites.
-
Job Seekers – Provides information about job opportunities in Michigan.
-
SOM Job Openings – Lists open positions with the State of Michigan.
If you have a consumer complaint, or believe you've been the victim of a scam, please file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team at:
