Employment Scams

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People who are out of work or looking for supplemental income are sometimes targeted by unscrupulous employment agencies or other job scams. Some job hunters report that these scams have cost them thousands of dollars that they could not afford. Don’t let this happen to you! Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison provides the following tips to job hunters:

Employment Agencies

Some people seeking work have been victimized by so-called “employment agencies” that charge stiff upfront fees and then fail to deliver on promises of job leads or other services. In some cases, employment agencies may claim that they have access to “hidden job markets” or special relationships with employers that do not materialize. Employment agencies are required to register with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Citizens should contact the Department before agreeing to do business with any employment agency.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5005 or (800) 342-5354
www.dli.state.mn.us

Consumer Tips for Job Seekers

1. Be suspicious of any agency that charges upfront fees.

Beware of companies that charge upfront fees, and guarantee or promise to get you a job. Although some agencies make “money back guarantees,” it may be difficult to obtain a refund if the company goes out of business or disappears.

2. Get it in writing.

Thoroughly review the contract and do not take the company’s word for it. Know what you are agreeing to and exactly what services will be provided. Make sure that any verbal promises match up with what’s on paper.

3. Research the company.

Employment agencies are required to register with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Check with the Department to make sure an entity is registered before agreeing to do business with it. Consumers may also check with the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau to obtain more information.

4. Be wary of companies that respond to your online resume, but provide little information.

Agencies may claim they are following up on your online resume for a given company, or that they work with specific companies hiring people who match your skill set. Ask the agency what companies it works with, and check with the employers to make sure they are really hiring and actually work with the agency. If the agency is hesitant to give you information, or answer your questions, think twice about doing business with the company.

5. Don’t be rushed!

Some employment agencies may use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to agree to purchase their services. Don’t be blinded by claims that you may miss out on a given job or opportunity if you do not hire the company immediately.

What is an Employment Agency?

Under Minnesota law, employment agencies are required to register with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The term “employment agency” means “any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or job listing service” that provides any service for a fee that is intended to enable another person to obtain employment.

Beware of Other Employment Scams

Consumers should also be on guard against other employment scams such as the “Mystery Shopper,” or payment processing, scams, in which the scam artist sends the consumer a “check” and convinces him or her to cash it, send an “excess amount” to a third-party (usually located outside of the country), and keep a remaining amount as a commission. The “check” soon turns out to be fake, and the consumer’s bank account is debited for the loss. Other employment scams are predicated on the “phishing” scam, in which a scam operator convinces a consumer to disclose sensitive personal information such as his or her social security number or banking information, in order to either "verify their identity” for an “interview process,” or to set up a payment process for the “new hire.” Don’t be fooled into giving out such sensitive information over the Internet or telephone. For more information on employment scams, work-at-home scams, or other scams targeting job seekers, contact the Attorney General’s Office.

Resources

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5005 or (800) 342-5354
www.dli.state.mn.us

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580
(877) 382-4357
TTY: (866) 653-4261
www.reportfraud.ftc.gov

Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota
220 South River Ridge Circle
Burnsville, MN 55337
(651) 699-1111 or (800) 646-6222
www.bbb.org/minnesota

Minnesota Secretary of State
Business Services Division
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-2803 or (877) 551-6767
www.sos.state.mn.us

Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 600
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area)
(800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities)
(800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay)

Secret Shopper Scams

Scam artists seek to take advantage of people who may be looking for additional income to make ends meet. Minnesotans report a new scam where they are led to believe they are obtaining employment as a "secret shopper," but instead are scammed out of their own hard-earned money.

Pre-Paid Debit Card Scams

For years, scammers have duped people into wiring money using wire services. Today, scammers are increasingly asking people to pay money with reloadable, pre-paid debit cards

Fake Check Scams

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders are not always secure! While the funds of a deposited check may be available in your account within days, the check may take weeks to clear or bounce. Scam artists prey on those who mistakenly believe that once the funds are available, the check is legitimate.