Canadians are putting off retirement more than ever, choosing instead to remain in the workforce beyond traditional retirement age.
According to Statistics Canada, between 1996 and 2006, the employment rate for seniors age 65 and older increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent for men, and from four per cent to six per cent for women. Several factors keep Canadians working, from income and retirement considerations to good health and a desire to remain active.
With so many Canadians remaining in the workforce, however, it means more opportunities for fraudsters to scam job hunters.
Not thoroughly researching a job opportunity could result in the loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars to any number of job-related scams.
BBB recommends looking out for the following when searching for a job:
* The employer offers the opportunity to become rich without leaving home
While many legitimate businesses allow employees to work from home, there are also many scammers trying to take advantage of those looking to make money conveniently from home. Job hunters should use extreme caution when considering a work-at-home offer and always research the company with their BBB first at www.bbb.org
* The employer asks for money upfront
Job hunters should never have to pay money to be considered for a job. If a potential employer asks the job hunter to pay the company to cover the costs of testing, training or background checks, it’s a red flag.
* The salary and benefits offered seem too good to be true
The adage holds true for job offers: if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Phoney employers might brag about exceptionally high salary potential and excellent benefits for little work and no experience necessary in order to lure unsuspecting job hunters into their scam.
* Job placement companies that make big promises
Job placement companies often do not charge the job hunters for help finding a job, but instead are paid by companies that need help filling positions. Some job placement companies, however, have taken money from job hunters and not fulfilled their promises of quick employment. Ask for the contract upfront to review the placement terms.
* The employer requires you to check your credit report
After posting resumes online or responding to online job listings, some job hunters received what they thought was good news: an email from an interested employer. In order to be considered for the job, however, the applicant has to check his credit report through a recommended website. The truth is the email is just an attempt to get the job hunter to divulge sensitive financial information.
* The employer is quick to ask for personal information
Job hunters might receive an email offering a great opportunity, directing him to a website that is designed to install malware on his computer or solicit bank account or Social Insurance Number. In other cases, the job hunter might even be asked to submit a resume, find out he’s been hired and then immediately be asked for bank account information or Social Insurance Number.
* The job requires you to wire money
Many phoney jobs require the employee to cash a cheque sent by the company through the mail and then wire a portion of the money on to another entity. The cheque might clear the employee’s bank account, but will eventually turn out to be a fake and the employee is out the money he wired back to the scammers.
For a more detailed description of the top scams that impact consumers and tips to protect you, visitvi.bbb.org (Island) or mbc.bbb.org (Vancouver)
MARCH 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND
MARCH 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND
