South Simcoe police are warning those applying for online jobs to be careful after a Bradford woman fell victim to an employment scam.
"In early January 2024, the victim responded to an advertisement on Facebook for a part-time data entry job," police said on Monday.
"The hiring process moved to a group chat on WhatsApp with 10 other people, which made the victim believe the company was legitimate. Her job was to review video games for an online website. The fake company asked her to pay up-front funds in order to receive her commission. She sent sums of money but never received earnings, and eventually realized it was a scam."
Police offer some tips:
- Never send money for an employment opportunity or to an individual you have not met in person.
- Never send funds from a cheque deposited into your account until it officially clears. Note this can take weeks and can be verified directly through your bank.
- Research the company name with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s probably a scam.
- Do not provide personal information (e.g. SIN, passport number, credit card numbers, or banking information) to anyone via email or over the phone unless you can verify the recipient and confirm the ad is legitimate.
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
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