Tips to avoid scams and find real jobs in Canada

Scammers know job-seekers are in a vulnerable position and will often encourage them to hand over personal information or money with the promise of securing a job. It is important to counter this type of fraud as it can happen to anyone.

Here are some of the clues that may indicate you have a fake job offer on your hands:

• A fake offer of employment is usually unsolicited. This means you will receive an offer for a job from a company you never applied to, or for a position you didn’t apply for.
• They might offer a high salary and the requirements they ask for may seem easy to fulfill. They are designed to appeal to your emotions and make you think that the process of finding a new job is over, and you have found a source of financial security.
• The sender’s email address may be suspicious—or it may not. Legitimate business owners do use free email services like Gmail, but it is far more likely that companies will have their own domain names in their email address. The sender’s email address may be suspicious—or it may not. Legitimate business owners do use free email services like Gmail, but it is far more likely that companies will have their own domain names in their email address.
• A scammer might ask you to pay money upfront. They might give you a cheque to buy some supplies, which turns out to be fake and now you are left on the hook for whatever you purchased. You should not have to pay for a legit job offer.
• They might ask for your personal information, such as your home address and Social Insurance Number (SIN). You should only give this information if it is legally required. Employers only need it once you are hired

Lastly, don’t let anyone trick you: always do your researches before clicking on links, replying to messages, or downloading anything until you are satisfied that you are speaking with a legitimate recruiter. You should expect their message.  Do a quick background check on the sender and the company they are representing. See if typing the company name along with “scam” turns up any results.

If you do suspect you have received a fake job offer, you can report it to the CAFC and the BBB.