Summer break is quickly approaching for high school and college students and many of them will be searching for summer jobs.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning students about job scams that could result in a loss of money and a waste of time. These could include work-at-home jobs paying high salaries for simple work and sales or pyramid schemes.

“Searching for jobs is not always easy and what may sound too good to be true probably is” said Kim States, BBB President. “Job hunters need to take appropriate measures to avoid being deceived by scams.”

BBB offers some tips for students when looking for summer job opportunities:

• If you are offered a job without a formal interview or job application, it is most likely a scam. Do not provide any personal or financial information, as it can lead to identity theft.
• If the employer does not provide you with the details of the job in writing, be wary. When you have details in writing, be sure to read them carefully and ask questions.
• If the employer does not have a website or contact information is missing, consider that a red flag.
• If the employer requires fees for training, background checks or drug tests, it is likely to be a scam.
• If an employer offers you a lot of money for simple work or to work at home, it is most likely too good to be true.

If you cannot find reviews of the business anywhere on the internet, be wary as it is likely to be a scam. Check the potential employer’s BBB Business Review to see if the employer has a good rating.

If you experience or have experienced a scam, report it to your local BBB at www.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau has been receiving an increased number of consumer inquiries regarding “Mystery Shopper” and “Mystery Consumer” opportunities. Consumers report receiving a letter by mail stating, “We are pleased to invite you to participate in a paid consumer research project in your area as a Mystery Shopper.” The letter mentions earning extra cash for secret shopper assignments at local businesses.

The letter instructs the recipient to deposit the enclosed check and use the funds to cover the first week’s shopping assignments.  Specific instructions are provided on how to use the money and ultimately instruct the “shopper” to wire a portion of the money via Western Union.

BBB of Southern Arizona cautions you to be skeptical of anyone that sends you a check or money order and in turn asks you to deposit it and wire transfer money in return. You should never wire money to a stranger. The check you receive will be counterfeit and you will personally be out the money you wire to them. Typical scenarios that you should use caution in if you encounter  them include:

• You are selling something online and the buyer overpays you and asks you to wire transfer back the extra dollars.
• You receive a check and notification that you have won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes.  You are (more…)

Millions of people have found success in direct selling for companies using a multi-level compensation plan. Unfortunately, not all opportunities are legitimate and it’s easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm and big promises of a pyramid scheme posing as a trustworthy company. So how do you tell the difference? Answer the following questions:

Is the start-up cost reasonable? A legitimate company will generally offer a startup kit that includes product samples, catalogs, order forms and other essentials that you need to get started selling. The median cost of a kit is $99, but can range from free to several hundred dollars depending on the type of product being sold. A pyramid scheme on the other hand will often require a large upfront investment of several thousand dollars for which you get little more than the right to recruit others.

Does your compensation come from selling products and services or from recruiting others? The money-making potential in a legitimate multi-level marketing company will rely primarily on selling products – be it from your own sales or the sales made by your recruits. In a pyramid scheme money is made by the recruiter from the fees paid by new recruits, regardless of whether they sell anything. Additionally, be sure products and services are being sold to the ultimate consumer of those products instead of passing large quantities of product from seller to seller.

Will the company buy back sales kits and unsold inventory? Most direct selling companies do not require large inventory purchases, but if one does, be sure to check out the buyback policy. All Direct Selling Association member companies are required to repurchase, at no less than 90 percent of the purchase price, any marketable inventory and sales aids purchased in the past 12 months if you (more…)