Holiday season is upon us and you may be looking for an easy way to make some extra cash but be careful!
According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers are taking advantage of this opportunity to prey on job seekers. Some of these crooks claim even claim to be from Amazon!
This is how it works: These crooks search the web for people who are looking for jobs.
If they target you, you will receive a voicemail, text, email or message on social media inviting you to apply for a high-paying Amazon job.
The message from a fake recruiter claims to be hiring people to post product reviews. The recruiter directs you to a legitimate sounding website: like Amazonprofits.org or Amazongigs.org where you fill out an application form. They claim the position pays up to $6,000 a month, and you can work from home.
Sounds good, right?
But here's the catch, you as a new employee would have to pay a $200 "enrollment fee" or "training fee" before you start. But as soon as you pay up, the scammer vanishes.
The Better Business Bureau says, if the gig sounds too good to be true, it really is.
Rhonda Mettler of BBB Southern Nevada says, "Getting rich quick would be the biggest red flag. Again, work at home employment you are not going to make much money."
Here's what you should be on the look out for if you get these messages:
- Work-from-home gigs typically don't require training or a fee.
- If you are offered a job without a formal interview or job application, it's most likely a scam.
- Do your research and go directly to Amazon's site not the websites the scammers refer you to.
- No company will ask for a credit check during a hiring process. They will also not ask for a direct deposit.