During the holiday season, many retailers and delivery services are looking for extra help. If you are thinking of applying for a seasonal job to make some additional income, it is important to stay alert and protect yourself from scammers trying to steal money and personal information.
To keep your money and personal information to yourself, follow these steps:
- Never pay to get the job. Scammers may promise you a job — if you pay them. But no legitimate job will make you pay for expenses or fees to get the job.
- Never give personal info up front. Some scammers will try to get your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number as soon as you are in contact.
- See what others are saying. Search online for the name of the company plus the words “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” You might find they’ve scammed other people.
- Talk to someone you trust — before you take a job offer or business opportunity, and see what they think.
If you suspect or become the victim of a holiday job scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
*How to Avoid Holiday Job Scams, Jim Kreidler, Consumer Advice, Federal Trade Commission.