BBB warns job seekers about holiday hiring scams

Dive Brief:

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) shared tips via KATC.com on how to avoid falling victim to holiday hiring scams. According to the post, the National Retail Federation (NRF) projects retailers around the US are planning to hire between 640,000 to 690,000 seasonal and holiday workers this season.
BBB encourages job seekers to update resumes and other information before approaching employers, but to leave off sensitive data such as social security numbers and age. They also advise candidates to do plenty of research on companies to ensure they are a good fit, keeping in mind that some companies may be looking to place holiday workers in long-term jobs after the busy season is over.
Warning signs to look for include: Being offered a job without an interview taking place, companies that conduct interviews via virtual chats, vague company or job descriptions, online offers requesting money or depositing checks upfront (even if they seem official), overpayment for the type of work offered (get rich quick schemes) and asking for too much personal information. The BBB recommends searching for companies on their database and also searching for any complaints online.

Dive Insight:

As the holiday season nears, job seekers may be easy prey for scammers. The BBB brings up some good points to watch for when approached by anyone offering a 'job'.

First of all, any legitimate employer has a formal application and human interview process, which normally entails a phone call prior to a face-to-face follow-up. Recruiters need to be mindful of this as they talk with candidates so they don't appear to be scammers.

A real company will offer competitive wages, but not over-the-top money and bonuses. A company that is interested in providing an actual career will never ask candidates up front for information like passwords, social security numbers, financial information or anything else that's too personal.

Employers should remember these tips in order to ensure a transparent, legally compliant staffing process in the midst of the holiday rush.