Beware of Employment Scams Targeting College Students

College Students Beware: Scammers Targeting Part-Time Job Seekers

As college students juggle classes, homework, and extracurricular activities, many also seek part-time employment to help cover school expenses. However, finding a job can be challenging, and students may feel pressured to find work quickly. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of this situation by impersonating professors and university departments in employment scams.

How Job Scams Target Students

The scam typically starts with an email sent to the student’s school email address, appearing to come from the school’s job placement office, student services department, or a specific professor. The job offer promises easy work, flexible hours, and excellent pay, making it an attractive opportunity for a college student. However, things take a turn when the “employer” hires the student without an interview and sends a fake check with instructions to deposit it.

Once the student deposits the check, they are instructed to use the money to purchase gift cards, money orders, or other supplies for the job. Some of the purchased items are then sent to the scammer, while the student is told the rest of the money is their payment. However, the check eventually bounces, leaving the student responsible for the funds sent to the scammer and at risk of identity theft.

Real-Life Experiences with Job Scams

One student shared their experience of almost falling victim to the scam, saying, “I received a message via my school email about a job opportunity with a professor. When I asked questions about the position, I was told the school would pay for my expenses. When I reached out to the professor personally, he confirmed it was a scam.”

Another student wasn’t as lucky, stating, “I received a job offer from what I thought was my school. I was sent two checks, withdrew cash as instructed, and bought Bitcoin for the ’employer.’ The next day, the checks bounced and over drafted my account.”

Tips to Avoid Employment Scams

• Do your research on the company offering the job.
• Look out for red flags like typos, no interviews, and upfront payment.
• Verify the email address and domain used by the employer.
• Avoid sending money to strangers, especially in cash, checks, or gift cards.
• Be cautious of certain job types like mystery shopping or work-from-home positions.

For more information on avoiding employment scams, visit BBB.org/EmploymentScam and BBB.org/AvoidScams. If you’ve been a victim of a job scam, report it on BBB.org/ScamTracker to help others avoid falling for similar schemes.