Protecting Yourself from Job Scams

Reports show the increasing occurrence of fake jobs that try to embezzle money from many desperate or uninformed job seekers. Many job advertisements are now online, in newspapers and even in sites like job centre plus. Such advertisements show well-paid positions or high-income part-time opportunities that are sometimes too good to be true. Sadly, due to the high unemployment rate, people take their chances in whatever comes their way with high hopes that it will solve their employment and financial problems. Jobseekers should then take extra precaution in their job search to avoid falling into traps like this.

Many job scammers attract people by promising an attractive pay. After getting the attention of an individual and getting their personal details, they pitch in special training packages, software and the like that will guarantee immediate income if the individual pays a certain amount. The amount is even promised to be a bargain or a discounted price that is available only for a short period of time. Scammers also promise easy tasks that require a limited duration of time.

Another way scammers make money from jobseekers is by using premium rate numbers. Companies who have premium rate numbers take a cut from the calls. What they do is that they put callers on hold for long periods. Such numbers usually start with numbers 070 or 090.

There will always be people who will try to make money by deceiving other people. As such, take extra precaution when looking for a job. When applying for a job, you should never give out your financial details especially when you are not hired yet. Other important personal details such as national insurance number should also be withheld from a potential employer unless you have already received a legitimate offer.

Upfront payments for trainings are unusual and should be investigated further before making any payments. Also, registration fees or fees for materials especially for online jobs should alarm you that the job might not be legitimate. Find out more about the company first. Check if the company is registered and if their contact details and address are legitimate.

Be careful when calling to inquire about the job vacancy and never call a premium rate number. Due to the increasing number of fake employers and companies using premium rate numbers in their jobs ads, job sites like job centre plus has banned the use of such numbers.

Steve Waller's jobcentre plus website is a good choice for finding real jobs.