Job scams target college students, too, FTC says

Many college students are looking for virtual jobs they can do while attending school, but if a new employer mails your first paycheck before you start working, that’s your sign to stop: It’s a scam, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

Scammers post ads for fake jobs for personal assistants on common workplaces and social networks. Or they may send emails that appear to come from someone in your community, such as a professor or an office at your university.

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If you request it, they will send you a check in the mail to deposit in your bank. Then, they will ask you to send some of the money to another account.

They tell you a compelling story, but the The check is fake And it’s all a scam. The check will bounce and the bank will want you to return the money you withdrew.

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In the meantime, the scammer will have left with the money you sent them.

Add these steps to your job search checklist to help you spot and avoid a job scam:

Look for the name of the company or person who is hiring youbesides the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” See what others are saying about them.

Please contact us directly. If the email appears to be coming from a professor or an office at your university, call them directly. Confirm that they are actually looking for someone for this position.

Get it in writing. Ask the employer to send you details of the job duties, salary and hours. If they refuse, that could be a sign that there is a problem.

Talk to someone you trustShow them the offer and ask them what they think. This also gives you vital time to think about the offer.

Your boss should be paying you, not the other way around. If they ask you to deposit a check and use some of the money for any reason, it’s a scam. Walk away. Then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.govLearn more at ftc.gov/jobscams.