Beware of offers from 'Amazon Cash Websites'
- Kim Thompson: Better Business Bureau
- September 4, 2018
- 2396
It sounds like the perfect job: work at home, make thousands of dollars a month and have a career with a famous corporation. But this new twist on an employment scam is fooling victims into paying hundreds of dollars for a job at Amazon that doesn’t exist. Reports to BBB Scam Tracker about this con have increased steadily this summer.
You receive a voicemail message inviting you to apply for a job at Amazon. Allegedly the online retailer is hiring dozens of people to list products online, post reviews and do other website work. The position pays well. Targets report anything from $20/hour to $6,000/month, and you can work from home. Scammers have used the names Amazon Cash Website(s), StockRetail.com and WebStoreJobs.com.
You are excited about the opportunity, so you fill out an application online. And here’s the problem: According to BBB Scam Tracker reports, new employees have to purchase a $200 “enrollment kit” before they can start work. If you pay up, the scammer will vanish. You will be out the money, and the new job never materializes.
Don’t give your information or money. Be cautious of any job that asks you to share personal information or to pay any money up front. Scammers will often use the guise of running a credit check, setting up direct deposit or paying for training.
Check the business’ website. Scammers frequently post jobs using the names of real companies such as Amazon to lend legitimacy to their cons. Check on the business’ website for the position and/or call them directly to confirm.
Be wary of “too good to be true” promises such as “work at home at your own pace.” Be cautious with work-from-home opportunities that are riddled with testimonials. Often the suggestion of real success is misleading. Suggesting few hours and limited work will make one successful is a red flag.
If a job looks suspicious, search for it online. If the result comes up in other cities with the exact same job post, it is likely a scam. In this scam a designated number of jobs are available and applicants need to act quickly. This high-pressure tactic is another red flag.
Check with your BBB. Contact the Better Business Bureau if you are applying for a job with a company you have not heard of before. If what you are being told just doesn’t make sense, call and ask your BBB for advice.
For more about scams, go to BBB Scam Tips (www.BBB.org/ScamTips). To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker (www.BBB.org/ScamTracker).
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