Did you know March is Fraud Prevention Month?

There are so many frauds and scams in this digital age, especially now that many transactions and interactions take place online. In addition to financial fraud, we also need to be cautious of job and employment scams! Read this blog to learn what they are, how to prevent them, and where to find additional resources from trusted sources.

What is job/employment fraud and scam?

There are many types of job scams out there. Some present themselves as job opportunities that seem too good to be true and are actually fronts for illegal money laundering or pyramid schemes. Sometimes, these scams target job seekers by posting fake job listings that do not exist and require applicants to pay an upfront fee before applying or starting work.

How to spot them

Here are some red flags to look out for when identifying a job or employment scam:

• They guarantee you an income without an application and interviews
• They involve using your personal bank account to receive and transfer money to other companies or individuals, sometimes asking you to use a money-transfer service
• The job requires you to pay an upfront fee
• You receive unsolicited job offers via text messages, social media, or LinkedIn

Protect Yourself!

Be proactive in protecting yourself against job scams and employment fraud. Always verify the legitimacy of the company you are receiving a job offer from. Instead of clicking on links in job postings or emails, search for the company’s name independently through a search engine.

It is also important not to share your personal banking information with individuals or organizations you do not know or trust. Another way to research a business is by using Reference Solutions from Markham Public Library’s digital resources collection. It holds a large collection of Canadian business records and household information.

It is important to note that this database complies with Canadian privacy legislation, and all information included is provided with consent from businesses and households. However, it is still a very useful resource for researching companies that are offering job opportunities.

Additional Resources on Fraud Prevention

• Government of Canada – Fraud and Scams
• Canadian Bankers Association – Protect Yourself from Financial Scams
• University of Toronto – Frauds and Scams