By Peter Scherer

The job hunt can be a taxing experience.

Companies make candidates jump through hoops to submit a resume, only to be automatically disqualified based on the whim of an algorithm. Some job postings are no longer valid, overlooked by careless HR. Other openings use fake, vague language and misleading offers of compensation.

And then there are the scams.

Sadly, a growing number of job posts are fake, designed to trick job hunters into handing over their money and personal information. The Federal Trade Commission is always on the lookout for fraudulent listings and offers excellent advice on which jobs to avoid.

First is the work-from-home scams. While remote work has become an increasingly popular trend in our post-COVID society, be cautious of jobs offering easy money from the comfort of your own chair. One example is reshipping scams, which have victims receive high-end goods, such as electronics, and then remove the original packaging. The victim is then directed to reship the package to a different location.

Sadly, when payday arrives, the employer often disappears into thin air. Worse, these scams may sell the victim’s personal information, leading to potential identity theft.

Other scams will masquerade as staffing agencies or headhunters, charging victims service fees for positions that are no longer available. Be aware that honest staffing firms will not bill applicants. They earn a legitimate commission by offering qualified talent. A veteran should never have to pay a headhunter, especially in advance.

This is especially true with government jobs. Information about these positions is freely available on websites such as USAJobs.gov, CareerOneStop, and USA.gov.

If you find yourself fooled by one of these scams, the first thing you should do is contact the company you used to send the money. For more information, you can check out this article by the FTC.

Furthermore, you should report fraudulent job posts to the FTC. By alerting the FTC, you can prevent other job hunters from being exploited.

Stay vigilant, friends.