Tips for Finding a Holiday Side Gig
Looking for seasonal work? Amazon plans to hire more than 300,000 workers across its U.S. operations this holiday season, and UPS expects to add 100,000 seasonal employees. If you’re hoping to earn some extra income this season, now is the time to apply. But scammers know this is when people are actively looking for work, so BBB reminds job seekers to watch for red flags.
“A seasonal job is a great way to supplement your income, particularly in today’s economic environment,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “It’s important to remember, however, that if your personal information gets in the wrong hands, a scam artist can do considerable damage, so be careful when sharing.”
Before accepting a position with a potential employer, consider the following:
Start your job search sooner rather than later. Retail, shipping, restaurants and catering companies are common sources of seasonal employment. Decide which type of job suits you best, identify the companies you’d like to work for and start submitting applications. Many employers held hiring events in October and are already moving into training mode, so don’t wait.
Does the job sound too good to be true? Any job which promises high pay for little work, like reshipping packages, stuffing envelopes or other jobs which require little to no experience, is not likely a legitimate opportunity. These offers are often an attempt to steal your personal information through a fake job application, and the damage can follow you for a long time.
Be wary of unexpected texts from “recruiters.” Scammers are sending text and WhatsApp messages offering easy online work, such as liking videos or rating products, in exchange for commissions. These “task scams” show a growing balance of fake earnings, then ask you to deposit your own money, often in cryptocurrency, to keep working or to withdraw your pay. Real employers don’t recruit through random texts, and they never ask you to pay to get paid.
Keep an eye out for overpayment scams. These scams all work the same way. The scammer sends a check, asks you to deposit it and then asks you to send the “extra” to another person or company. The check turns out to be counterfeit, but often not until long after you’ve sent the money. When it bounces, you’re left with less money in your account than when you started.
Protect your information. Make sure you are applying on a secure website, and never give a potential employer your Social Security number or bank account information until you’ve done your homework, completed a proper interview and been officially hired. Your personal information is valuable, and scam artists want it.
Never pay for a job. Background checks, drug tests, training and equipment are part of the cost of doing business. If a potential employer asks you to pay for any of these, you will likely never hear from them again once they have your money.
No interview? Not legitimate. If you are offered a position without a formal interview, either in person or by video, it’s most likely a scam. Be wary of employers who hire you on the spot or conduct interviews only by text, email or instant messaging.
Research side gigs before applying. No matter how good a job seems, do your research first. Go directly to the company’s official website or careers page to verify the job posting, and make sure the company has legitimate contact information. Search online for the job title and company name. If the exact same post pops up in multiple cities, or people are reporting it as a scam, don’t engage.
If you spot a job scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker so you can help protect others. To learn more about scams and how to avoid them, visit bbb.org/scamtips, and always look for the BBB seal. It’s the sign of a better business. Read more about BBB’s Accreditation Standards.
About BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb.org for more information. BBB Serving Central East Texas was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.