Looking for a job? Great! Just make sure you don’t get hired as a victim of fraud.
There’s a sneaky scam targeting job seekers, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Prince George want you to know about it before you find yourself out of pocket.
A fraudulent employment scheme is making the rounds, preying on people eager for work. Here’s how it goes: You apply for a job, the “employer” sends you a cheque, and then they ask you to deposit it and send a portion of the money back. The reason? A bogus excuse, like covering work expenses or processing fees. By the time the cheque is revealed as fake, you’ve already sent the money—and you’re the one left with an empty bank account.
How It Works
- You respond to a job ad and receive an offer.
- The fraudulent employer sends you a cheque, claiming it’s for job-related expenses.
- You’re asked to deposit the cheque and send part of the money back for a fabricated reason.
- The cheque bounces, but only after you’ve already sent real money to the scammers.
Who’s Targeted
This scam primarily preys on job seekers, especially those applying for remote or online positions. Anyone looking for work—students, new graduates, and unemployed individuals—should be particularly cautious.
Real-Life Example
Prince George RCMP reported that several individuals have already been targeted. Corporal Jennifer Cooper warns, “The cheques are fraudulent, but this isn’t always caught until after you have already sent the fraudsters the funds. This means you are out all of that money, which can sometimes be in the thousands of dollars.”
Why You Should Care
This isn’t just about losing money—though that’s bad enough. Falling for a scam like this can put your financial security at risk, damage your credit score, and even involve you in money laundering without realizing it. Once the money is gone, it’s nearly impossible to recover.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never accept a cheque from an employer you haven’t met in person. Real companies don’t ask employees to transfer money.
- Verify the employer. Research the company, check reviews, and contact them directly through official channels.
- Be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true. If the pay is high with minimal effort, it’s likely a scam.
- Avoid depositing or transferring money for someone else. This could involve you in illegal activities like money laundering.
- Report suspicious activity. Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if you receive a job offer that seems sketchy.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip #1: Did you know? Scammers often use real company names to make their job offers look legitimate. Always verify job postings on official websites.
Pro Tip: If you’re ever asked to send money after being hired, walk away. No legitimate employer will ever request this.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Key Terms
• Cheque Fraud: A scam involving fake or altered cheques used to trick victims into sending money.
• Money Laundering: The process of disguising illegal financial transactions as legitimate ones.
• Job Scam: A fraudulent employment offer designed to steal money or personal information from job seekers.
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