Military Job Seekers Must Beware of Online Scams
In the job hunt, it is easy to get excited about a new opportunity – so excited that you might let your otherwise reliable guard down. But military job seekers must beware of online scams that could be part of searching for a job, just as they would “have their antenna up” when they are buying something from eBay.
As a matter of fact, it might be more important in relation to the job hunt as there is the potential for a higher degree of personal information to be exchanged as you are being vetted for a job.
The Federal Trade Commission has a good checklist to act as a reminder of what to do and what not to do online, whether buying something or job searching. Here is one of the good points in the “don’t” section.
Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back.
By law, banks have to make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. You’re responsible for the checks you deposit: If a check turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for paying back the bank. No matter how convincing the story, someone who overpays with a check is almost certainly a scam artist.
And remember, no real company is going to hire you via text message or email without speaking to you in real time. For a legitimate employer, you should be able to google the business, pick up the phone, dial the main number and speak to the person who is recruiting you. Otherwise, beware – it may be an online scam.
Image courtesy of