BBB Advice: Look for Seven Red Flags when Searching for Jobs Online

In a recent report on job searching, The Conference Board noted that people are increasingly turning to the Internet as a key tool, noting that in 2007, 73 percent of job seekers reported using the online sources compared to 66 percent in 2005.

While the Internet has made searching for jobs easier, it also provides an opportunity for ID thieves and scammers to take advantage of eager - and unsuspecting - job seekers. Better Business Bureau is providing guidance that will help people spot the seven most common red flags associated with online job search scams.

A 2007 survey by CareerBuilder.com found that 84 percent of U.S. workers are not in their dream job. Unfortunately, the search for a dream job can lead to becoming a victim of identity theft or other types of fraud. In 2007 alone, the Federal Trade Commission recorded more than 11,000 complaints about business opportunities including work-at-home scams, many of which were advertised online.

“BBB knows that the number of people who actually report being a victim of fraud when searching for a job is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Bill Moak, BBB Mississippi President. “With a tough economy and tight job market forcing both businesses and job seekers to make difficult choices, BBB expects that instances of online job search fraud will continue to grow in the coming months as unemployment rates rise.”

Following are seven red flags BBB advises jobs hunters to be on the look out for when using online resources:

• Red Flag: Employer e-mails are rife with grammatical and spelling errorsMost online fraud is perpetrated by scammers located outside the U.S. Their first language usually isn’t English and this is often evident in their poor grasp of the language which can include poor grammar and the misspelling of common words.


• Red Flag: E-mails purporting to be from job posting Web sites claiming there’s a problem with a job hunter’s accountAfter creating a user account on sites like Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com, a job hunter might receive an e-mail saying there has been a problem with their account or they need to follow a hyperlink to install new software. Phishing e-mails like this are designed to convince readers to click a link within the message to fix the issue, but actually take them to a Web site that will install malware or viruses on their computer.


• Red Flag: An employer asks for extensive personal information such as social security or bank account numbersSome job seekers have been surprised to learn they’ve gotten a job without having to do a single interview. However, when the employer then asked for personal information in order to fill out the necessary paperwork suspicions were raised – and rightly so. Regardless of the reason or excuse given by the employer, a job applicant should never give out his or her Social Security or bank account numbers over the phone or e-mail.


• Red Flag: An employer offers the opportunity to become rich without leaving home While there are legitimate businesses that allow employees to work from home, there are also a lot of scammers trying to take advantage of senior citizens, stay-at-home moms, students and injured or handicapped people looking to make money at home. Job hunters should use extreme caution when considering a work-at-home offer and always research the company with their BBB first at http://www.bbb.org/.


• Red Flag: An employer asks for money upfrontAside from paying for a uniform, it is rarely advisable for an applicant to pay upfront fees or make a required purchase to get a job. Most recently, the BBB of Metropolitan Dallas uncovered a scam where job hunters were told they had to pay $64.50 for a background check before they could be considered for a cleaning job. Predictably, after paying for the background check, the job seeker never heard from the company again.


• Red Flag: The salary and benefits offered seem too-good-to-be-trueThe adage holds true for job offers: if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Phony employers might brag about exceptionally high salary potential and excellent benefits for little experience in order to lure unsuspecting job hunters into their scam.


• Red Flag: The job requires the employee to wire money through Western Union or MoneyGramMany phony jobs require the prospective employee to cash a check sent by the company through the mail and then wire a portion of the money on to another entity. Reasons given for this requirement vary from scam to scam. Whatever the reason though, the check might clear the employee’s bank account but will eventually turn out to be a fake and the employee is out the money he or she wired back to the scammers.
  

For more reliable advice on job searching and for what to do if a job hunter becomes a victim of ID theft or fraud related to a job opportunity, go to http://www.bbb.org/

Don’t Get Duped When Donating to Myanmar

As evidence of the devastation in Myanmar continues to mount, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a relief organization or charity. The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance warns that—as occurred following the tsunami disaster in 2004—fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Americans. The recent earthquakes in China and other disasters around the world are expected to create new opportunities for fraudsters.

“Whenever there is a major natural disaster, be it home or abroad, there are two things you can count on. The first is the generosity of Mississippians to donate time and money to help victims, and the second is the appearance of poorly run and in some cases fraudulent charities,” said Bill Moak, President/CEO of the BBB Mississippi. “Not only do Mississippians need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to competent relief organizations that are equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance in Myanmar.”

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following eight tips to help Americans decide where to direct donations and ensure that their money provides the most benefit to the victims in Myanmar:

• Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity.Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other Web site references, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.


• Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground continuing presence in Myanmar.Because of the stringent conditions in Myanmar, unless the charity already has staff inside the country, it will be difficult for new aid workers to attain visas and ultimately accomplish aid assistance in the country. Check out organizations at http://www.interaction.org/—the nation’s largest coalition of international relief organizations—to verify which aid organizations are currently active in Myanmar.


• Find out who will benefit in Myanmar and what type of assistance they will be provided. The immediate needs in Myanmar are food, water, shelter, transportation and clean-up efforts. Because it has not been determined how long organizations will be permitted to operate in Myanmar, long-term goals might not be achieved.


• Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist Myanmar victims.Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a minimum, a processing fee. If a charity claims 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting Myanmar victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably incurring fund raising and administrative expenses. They may use some of their other funds to pay this, but the expenses will still be incurred.


• Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups that are active in Myanmar.Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations that are already active in the region. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to charities that have a presence in the Myanmar. Or, at a minimum, check out the ultimate recipients of these donations to ensure the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.


• Be cautious when giving online.Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. In response to the tsunami disaster, there were concerns raised about many Web sites and new organizations that were created overnight allegedly to help victims.


• Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations are not recommended.In-kind donation assistance is not practical. Most foreign relief organizations prefer cash donations so that supplies can be purchased near the relief site. In-kind drives for food and clothing—while well intentioned—will not end up being delivered to those in need in Myanmar.


• If tax deduction is a concern, donate domestically.To help ensure your contribution is tax deductible, the donation should be made to a U.S.-based charitable organization that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Go to IRS Publication 78 on http://www.irs.gov/for a current list of all organizations eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable gifts.

For information, visit the BBB Mississippi's website at http://www.ms.bbb.org/.

Mississippi Consumer Protection Laws Should be Stronger

A couple of years ago, we learned that a number of "colleges" and "universities" with questionable credentials had set up shop in Mississippi, especially in the areas of the state nearest the New Orleans metro area. When we did a little investigating, we found that Louisiana had strengthened its consumer protection laws regarding so-called "diploma mills." They were coming here because of the increased pressure from Louisiana, where they had previously been based.

You may or may not know it, but Mississippi law has a glaring loophole in its laws regarding college accreditation standards. All colleges which grant degrees are required to hold accreditation from a recognized accrediting body, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Yet, the law specifically grants an exemption for private, for-profit institutions. The statute (37-101-241, Mississippi Code of 1972), reads in part, ... (6) The provisions of this section shall not apply to private schools that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or to the proprietary schools as defined in Sections 75-60-3, 75-60-4 and 75-60-5.

This is one of many areas in which Mississippi consumer protection laws leave much to be desired. In the wake of Katrina, we have seen evidence of lax licensing laws for contractors. Recently, after the funeral home industry has come under scrutiny, we have found that there are insufficient standards for cemeteries.

While Mississippi has some good and tough requirements for some industries, we are way behind in others. There should be a concerted effort to look at all of Mississippi's consumer protection laws. Contrary to popular belief, consumer protection laws do not hurt business; they help business by ensuring that high standards are enforced. Tough consumer protection laws are good for everyone -- businesses and consumers alike.

What's In a Website?

Today marks a real milestone in the history of the BBB Mississippi, with the launch of our new website at www.ms.bbb.org. This "new and improved" site features a design which will be much easier to use. You may notice also that there is an intermix of local and national content. Photos of some of the people who run BBB accredited businesses are featured, for example, along with access to information from across the U.S. and Canada.

We have spent much time and effort on getting this site functional. That's because online access is so crucial to many of today's consumers. We also understand, however, that the people and businesses we serve might never use a computer. The website is not the sum total of our services; it is just one linkage between this organization and the community of businesses and consumers we serve.

I hope you will spend some time getting to know our new site. Bookmark it and use it often, because it can help you become a more educated and knowledgeable consumer. Thanks for visiting!

2008 Business Integrity Awards Winners Announced

Jackson, Miss., April 2, 2008 – Three Mississippi companies have received Business Integrity Awards by the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi and the Mississippi Business Journal.
The winners were announced on Friday, March 28 at the annual luncheon held at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson. An estimated 120 people were on hand to witness the presentation of the 6th Annual Mississippi Business Integrity Awards. The 2008 recipients of these prestigious awards were:

• Community Bank, Meridian


• Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living, Laurel


• Trinity Investment Services, LLC, Gulfport
  

Two individual awards were also presented – the Torchbearer Award and the CEO of Integrity Award. The Torchbearer Award, recognizing a business leader who has demonstrated integrity and ethics over a career, was presented to Aubrey Patterson, President of Bancorp South in Tupelo. The recipient of the CEO of Integrity Award was Dan Modisett, General Manager of WLBT in Jackson.

This year’s winners become part of the “Circle of Honor”. Other 2008 Circle of Honor inductees include: Duran Homes (Jackson), Joe E. Fountain, Jr. & Company (D’Iberville), Madison Planting & Design Group (Canton), McLaurin Carpets, Inc. (Soso), Pride Hyundai (Batesville), Two Men and a Truck (Ridgeland), and Waveland Furniture Liquidators (Waveland).

“We had a wonderful response to the Business Integrity Awards this year,” said Bill Moak, President of the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi. “The judges had many great entries. “They prove that success in business does not mean that you must make ethical compromises, and that a company’s ability to survive challenges is directly related to its commitment to a strong commitment to being a good corporate citizen.”

The BBB Mississippi serves consumers and businesses in 76 Mississippi counties with a variety of services including issuance of business Reliability Reports; dispute resolution, including handling of complaints, arbitration and mediation; advertising review; charity review; consumer education. The organization is supported by its nearly 2,500 Accredited Business members. The BBB’s services are available online at www.ms.bbb.org or by calling (800) 987-8280.

Don't Let Scammers Take Advantage of Your Tax Rebate!

The BBB of Mississippi is warning Mississippi consumers to watch out for con artists looking to profit from the tax rebate checks that are expected later this year.

“Every time there is a general tax rebate program, there are reports of people who attempt to take money from consumers,” said Bill Moak, BBB Mississippi president. “While we haven’t yet heard reports from Mississippi consumers about possible scams, federal officials have noted suspicious activity in Missouri and other areas of the country.”

In Missouri, for example, con artists have begun calling consumers, claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They are asking for personal information, which could possibly be used for identity theft purposes. “No legitimate agency or organization is going to ask you for personal information over the phone or via email,” Moak said.

Moak noted that, in the past, scammers have collected fees from consumers to “expedite” or “speed-up” their refunds, only to have the consumers find out that the checks will arrive only when they are sent out by the Treasury Department. In one case a company collected a $29.00 fee (drafted directly from the victim’s bank account) in exchange for assistance in obtaining the refund.

Consumers are also cautioned to carefully consider programs which “loan” you your anticipated rebate. “While you might get your money before you ordinarily would, you are going to pay fees – in essence, you are being charged to access your own money,” Moak said. “If you can, it’s best to wait for your check to arrive.”

Watch for "Verified by Visa" Scam

Identity thieves are constantly looking for ways to make scam emails more plausible, so they are now attempting to add credibility to such emails by including a “Verified by Visa” scheme.

The wording may be something like this: “Your credit card (specified) has been automatically enrolled in the Verified by Visa program. To ensure your card’s security, it is important that you protect your card online with a personal password. Please take a moment to activate Verified by Visa now.”

According to Bill Moak, President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Mississippi, “Verified by Visa is a legitimate service that adds an additional layer of security to online credit card transactions. It is unfortunate that it has begun to appear as a topic of phishing emails.”

These scam emails contain links to bogus sites, under the control of the hackers, that prompt consumers to enter their credit card information. The messages usually end with a threat that failure to respond may temporarily disable the credit card in question. “Such threats should be a dead giveaway that the emails are scams,” Moak continued. “Consumers should always be on guard when sharing their personal information in any way.”

The BBB urges consumers to continually be vigilant whenever they receive solicitations for identity verification by phone, mail or email. To block solicitations, consumers should register on:

• National Do Not Call Registry: 888-382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov




• Opt Out Mail Registry: 888-567-8688 or http://www.optoutprescreen.com/

The BBB of Mississippi has been serving consumers since 1964 by providing Reliability Reports on businesses and charities, assisting with business complaint resolution, monitoring advertising, and offering alerts on current scams. The BBB may be reached by calling 800-987-8280 or online at http://www.ms.bbb.org/.

Community Shred Days

Attorney General Jim Hood, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and President/CEO Bill Moak of the Better Business Bureau are pleased to announce Mississippi's Community “Shred-It” Days, February 8 & 9, 2008. The purpose of the event is consumer protection and awareness concerning identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and the state. Consumers are invited to bring up to 5 bags of their sensitive documents to be shredded for free. Joining the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the Secretary of State's Office and the Better Business Bureau are Shred-It, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, BancorpSouth, Coca-Cola, the Leadership Council on Aging, Mississippi State University Extension Service, and other Mississippi Consumer Education Partnership members.

Dates, Times, Locations

February 8, 2008

7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tupelo

Wal-Mart Supercenter

3929 N. Gloster Street

Tupelo, MS

Jackson

The Home Depot

6325 I-55 North

Jackson, MS 39213

Hattiesburg

Wal-Mart Supercenter

6072 Highway 98 W

Hattiesburg, MS 39402

February 9

Gulfport

Wal-Mart Supercenter

9350-A Hwy. 49

Gulfport, MS

7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

BBB: Be Careful When Choosing a Tax Preparer

With tax season upon us, it is certainly tempting to hire someone to prepare your tax return. And, in many cases, hiring an expert can save you a lot of time and money.

Since you are legally responsible for your tax return, whether or not it is prepared by someone else, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Mississippi offers the following guidelines when selecting a tax preparer:

• Be skeptical of any preparer claiming to be able to get you a larger refund than others. Every legitimate preparer should have fairly similar tax results.
• Beware if the preparer bases tax preparation fees on the percentage of the amount of your refund. This is not allowed under IRS regulations.

“Choose a preparer to whom you will have easy access,” suggests Bill Moak, President/CEO of the BBB Mississippi. “If the firm delegates your work to someone with less training – or to an unknown worker – take your business elsewhere. Also, make sure that the preparer will not be sending your return to a foreign country for processing since the appropriate security and privacy laws may not exist outside of the U.S. This could mean that you may forfeit your recourse rights should your information be compromised out of the country.”

The IRS offers these additional tips:

• Be sure that your preparer signs the return and fills in his appropriate information
• Never sign a blank return
• Never sign a return in pencil

The BBB of Mississippi suggests that you check a preparer’s record with them before you hire anyone. This can be done online at www.ms.bbb.org or by calling the Automated Response Line (800-987-8280)

Mystery Shopper Scam Leaves Consumers Strapped for Cash This Holiday Season

After all the shopping is done for this holiday season, consumers may find themselves in a strap for cash. Schemers are very aware of the draw-in of “easy” money. A “Secret Shopper” scam using the company name Master Research claims a Maryland address and is swindling consumers across the country out of their savings. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Mississippi urges consumers to be aware of work-at-home scams like Master Research.

Master Research posts help wanted ads in CraigsList.com, CareerBuilder.com, and newspapers seeking Customer Service Evaluators, Secret Shoppers, and temporary positions.

In the advertisements, no company name is given. Once a job-seeker speaks to a company representative, they are asked only for their name and address; victims report no company name is provided. Within a week, the candidate receives a package in the mail that explains they have been selected to participate in the Master Research program. In the package is a check for $2,990.00 for use in the “training process”.

The participants are advised to go to Wal-Mart and wire money to a person in Canada. They are instructed that as a participant, they get to keep $300.00 for their services. Thus far, consumers have reported losses as great as $7,990.00 as a result of cashing these fraudulent checks.

The checks are falsely issued under a real financial institution, Chesapeake Bank, but include a phony Baltimore, MD address and phone number. Upon calling the toll-free number, BBB discovered a bogus “collections” agency who acknowledged Master Research as a “credible client.” The BBB representative was asked if she needed to verify a check number.

A Chesapeake Bank representative in Baltimore, alerted BBB that the FBI has had an open investigation on Master Research since April, 2007.

The BBB offers these tips to help you avoid being swindled by fake check scams:

• Be suspicious of any check from an individual or business that you do not know.
• Independently verify that the check is drawn from an actual account at a legitimate financial institution.
  
• Do not rely on the telephone number listed on the check. Use directory assistance to get the telephone number of the financial institution and call them to verify the check.
• When a company claims to be a “Secret Shopper,” like Master Research, check with the Mystery Shopper Provider Association at http://www.mysteryshop.org/ to learn more about Mystery Shopping and to confirm the legitimacy of a company.
• Do not rely on the money until the funds have been finally collected by your financial institution. Funds 'available’ is not good enough.

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