Chelsea Police Department Warns Residents of Increase in Online Job Search Scams
Chelsea Police DepartmentBrian Kyes, Police Chief
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Chelsea Police Department Warns Residents of Increase in Online Job Search Scams |
| CHELSEA — Chief Brian Kyes and the Chelsea Police Department are warning residents of a recent increase in online scams targeting those who are searching for a job, and wish to share tips to help people avoid falling victim. |
| “Unfortunately, we’re seeing a rise in online scams recently, and we want residents to be wary of these situations,” Chief Kyes said. “We hope by sharing these tips residents will be able to more easily identify some of the telltale signs of a scam while job hunting, and ultimately put a stop to the harm these scams cause.” |
| In particular, Chelsea Police are advising residents to be wary of online job offers asking for money up front, individuals sending a significant monetary amount by check and seeking money back, any online communication that asks you to open a bank account or use your bank account to receive funds and any deal or agreement which calls for processing payments or seems “too good to be true.” |
| The Chelsea Police Department also wishes to share the following job search scam avoidance tips from the Federal Trade Commission: |
- Residents are advised that scams may be posted on legitimate job posting sites online, as well as in newspapers, TV and radio, and to look for signs of a scam when looking into a possible job opportunity.
- Be wary of any job opportunity online that asks you to pay a fee for certification, training materials or other costs.
- Never share your credit card or bank account information over the phone unless you know and trust the source.
- Be wary of a job ad for a “previously undisclosed” federal government job, as information about open federal jobs is free and available to the public at usajobs.gov.
- Before working with a job search agency for help finding a job, research the legitimacy of the group.
- If a company is mentioned in an ad, contact the company to make sure they are truly hiring through that service.
- Be wary if the job placement organization is reluctant to answer your questions.
- Get a contract with the placement firm, read it thoroughly, and know that legitimate companies will give you time to read and decide whether you want their service.
- There is a difference between job placement and job counseling services, which may help you prepare for an interview or create your resume, but job placement isn’t guaranteed.
- Check with your local consumer protection agency, the state Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau to learn of any complaints filed against a company.
- To report a job scam, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here.
- For more tips from the FTC on scam avoidance, click here.
| Residents can also find additional job scam avoidance information from AARP here, Monster.com here and ZipRecruiter here. |
