Worked Over: Online Job Seekers Prey for Scammers

WORKED OVER THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IS LOOKING UP, but millions of Americans are still out of a job and actively looking for work. While the Internet has made the job search easier, it also provides an opportunity for ID thieves and scammers to take advantage of eager – and unsuspecting – job seekers. LEARN THE SIGNS OF AN ONLINE JOB SCAM, AND GET TIPS ON HOW ONLINE JOB SEEKERS PREY FOR SCAMMERS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM. STATE OF JOBS When it comes to finding a job, the competition is tough. APRIL SMTNTFS XXXXXXX 7.6% 4,600,000, 5-20 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UUT OF WORK for 27 weeks or more WEEKLY HOURS spent job hunting MNMN 94% AMERICANS who search for jobs online UNDERSTANDING ONLINE JOB SCAMS Searching for work online is convenient but dangerous. TOP STATES FOR ONLINE CRIME: 314,246 California Florida Texas New York Ohio Online crime reports JOB SCAMS MAKE UP MAJORITY: 27,892 MYSTERY SHOPPING top Scam of 2012 $4,187 Advance fee fraud Average financial loss Example: Pay in advance to receive materials ARE MORE LIKELY 18,511 AVERAGE HOURLY RATES (2011) Overpayment fraud Example: Overpayment of wages 17,352 $2,297 $10.27 Work-from-home scams Example: Selling of items from overseas company Employment scammers American workers AWARENESS - PREVENTION How do you protect yourself? Learn the signs of a scam. WHERE JOB SCAMS LIVE: WHAT THEY SAY: 6 GET RICH QUICK! " RED FLAGS: NO INTERVIEW ON REPUTABLE JOB BOARDS OR FORUMS "WITHOUT LEAVING HOME!" USE OF PERSONAL ACCOUNT ONLINE ADS "NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!" 6, OVERSEAS COMPANY NO JOB DESCRIPTION EMAIL “MAKE MONEY EMAILS WITH GRAMMATICAL, OR SPELLING ERRORS XXX WHILE YOU XX SOCIAL NETWORKS SLEEP!" WIRING MONEY UPFRONT PROTECT YOURSELF: U0-D00 FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW THOROUGHLY RESEARCH COMPANY READ ALL CONTRACTS DON'T GIVE OUT SOCIAL ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS SECURITY NUMBER BABY BOOMERS RESEARCH EMPLOYERS BEST: "IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, 85% 64% Check websites Search news IT PROBABLY IS." REPORTING - FURTHER INFORMATION If you believe your financial accounts may be compromised, contact your financial institution immediately and close the DON'T LET SCAMMERS GET THE BEST OF YOU. LEARN MORE ABOUT ONLINE JOB SCAMS and other types of fraud with the BANK OF THE WEST FRAUD IN BRIEF VIDEO account/s). IF YOU SUSPECT FRAUD OR SUSPICIÓUS ACTIVITY SERIES ON YOUTUBE: http://GoWe.st/fraudinbrief VISIT THE BANK OF THE WEST SECURITY AND FRAUD CENTER: IMMEDIATELY AT 1-800-488-2265. http://GoWe.st/botwsecuritycenter INVOLVING YOUR BANK OF THE WEST ACCOUNT(S), CALL US BANK EWEST A E BNP PARIBAS GROUP A Equal Housing Lender. @ 2013 Bank of the West. Member FDIC. Loans subject to credit approval. SOURCES US. Bureau of Labor Statistics Time.com