BBB Tip: Considering Seasonal Employment?

The holiday season can account for a large percentage of a retailer’s annual sales. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers are expected to hire between 640,000 and 690,000 seasonal workers this holiday season.

While you may be answering ads for jobs, it’s important to be on the lookout for employment scams as well.

BBB Serving Wisconsin says you’ll want to position yourself as an ideal candidate. Who knows? Some of those seasonal jobs can turn into permanent positions. But also, protect yourself from job scams.

Follow these BBB tips:

• Do your research ahead of time. Find out which companies are offering seasonal employment opportunities and whether that would be a place you’d like to work. Then research the company.
• Check company websites. Last year BBB received reports of several well-known department stores names being used in seasonal hiring solicitations that led to phishing schemes. Be sure to check the company’s official website to verify the job is official.
• Be suspicious of online offers requesting money. Many people use online classifieds to search for local job openings. Unfortunately, scammers flock to these sites, posting fake jobs aimed at stealing money or the identities of job seekers. Never give your personal information without thoroughly researching the company first.
• Overpayment for work. This is a typical “employment” scam. Watch out if your “new employer” wants you to deposit your paycheck and then transfer a portion of money. Your paycheck is likely fraudulent and will bounce, leaving you to cover the overdrawn funds.
• Vague company descriptions. It’s a huge red flag if you can’t identify the company’s owner, product, headquarters, or even location. Just because they listed an ad online doesn’t mean the business is legitimate.
• No interview. If you are offered a job without a formal interview or job application, it’s most likely a scam. Be wary of jobs that hire you on the spot or conduct interviews via online chat or instant messaging services.
• Check BBB.org for free Business Reviews to find additional information on a company including consumer complaints, customer reviews, and other details. Report scams and fraud to BBB’s Scam Tracker.