A lot of job offers through email, social media, and more are legit. Some aren't though, so you have to be careful. Spot the warning signs like these:
--If the potential employer asks for payment upfront, your bank or credit card information, it’s likely a scam.
--A job posting that shows up on internet job boards, but not the company’s website may also indicate a scam – according to the FBI.
--If the job seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be especially wary if the pay seems higher than what’s typical for the position.
How to protect yourself:
--Search for the company’s website or contact information independently. Don’t use the contact information provided to you by a stranger.
--If you find multiple websites for the same company or the web address is just a few letters off from an actual company website URL, it may have been spoofed.
--The FBI points out legitimate companies will ask for direct deposit information for payroll purposes after hiring employees. It’s safer to do this in person. During the pandemic, consider asking the company for a video call. It may help you confirm the identity of the person you’re speaking with - especially if the company has employee photos online.
--Never send money via wire transfer or a cash app to a potential employer you met online. You can also call your bank before agreeing to any transactions to give the bank a chance to flag a potential scam.
If this happens/happened to you, you can report the scam to the FTC, FBI and Texas Office of the Attorney General
(NBC5) Photo: Getty/anyaberkut