Iowans are being warned about a rising number of fake employment scams.
Khesha Duncan, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says con artists are especially targeting college students and young adults who are looking for work.
“If you take a job, the next thing they want to know is what’s your bank account number and routing number so that they can pay you,” Duncan says. “Well, once they’ve got that information, they’ve got everything they need to not only take your money but steal your identity.”
She reminds job seekers to do some research on the prospective employer. Duncan says scammers will often go after young adults because of their lack of “life-experience,” assuming they can be easily duped.
Duncan says, “The two times when you are really vulnerable with the amount of information you’re providing is when you rent an apartment and when you apply for a job.” Many of these crooks will turn to places like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to find their victims.
“Scammers are definitely using social media platforms more frequently for all kinds of scams,” Duncan says. “Whether it’s investment cryptocurrency, romance scams, online purchase scams still come in at number-three. Employment scams have moved up to number-two, and social media is where they go.”
She reminds young adults to closely guard their personal financial information and passwords. Duncan also recommends they get in the habit of shredding their financial statements.