The holiday season is a booming business if you’re a retailer, and it can account for a large portion of annual sales. Many retailers hire seasonal help to get them through the busy shopping days leading up to Christmas, in fact, retailers are expected to hire more than 700,000 seasonal workers this year. With so many seasonal job opportunities out there, how can you tell which ones are legit? Use these tips to protect yourself from employment scams:
Research
Find out which companies are hiring for seasonal employment, think about whether you’d like to work there, then check out their websites to learn more about them.
Check company websites
In the past, well-known department store names were used in seasonal hiring solicitations that turned out to be phishing schemes. Be sure to check out each company’s website first.
Be on alert
If an online job offer requests money, you should immediately go on high alert. Scammers post these online offers to steal identities and people’s money. Never give out any personal information without doing some research first.
Run From Vague Descriptions
If you can’t figure out easily what the name of the company is, identify the owner, address or product, it’s most likely a scam.
The Overpayment Scam
If your new employer wants to deposit your paycheck and then send them back a portion of those funds, it’s a scam. The check will bounce and you’ll have to cover all of the overdrawn funds and related fees.
Be on your Toes
If you’re hired on the spot or an interview is conducted via an online chat or instant messaging, steer clear, this is most likely a scam.
Check the Better Business Bureau
Check the BBB website for company reviews and any additional information on file.
If you’ve been scammed, report it to the BBB’s Scam Tracker, not only can you report a scam, you can see what other scams are happening in your area; a truly wonderful source of information.
The holidays should be a happy time of the year. Seasonal employment helps provide the extra income needed to make them special for many folks. Many employers offer discounts at their stores which is an added bonus. Use these tips to keep your holidays shining brightly.
Sources
The information found on the Gerstenberger Law site is for educational purposes only. Your situation and the situation of others is unique and more complex. This is neither legal advice nor to be considered legal advice. Contact us for advice about your specific situation