HONOLULU (KHON2) — Looking for a second job or some quick side income? There are many U.S. adults who have a side hustle to bring in extra income.
With Americans trying to make more money, the Better Business Bureau says to be careful of fake companies targeting gig-seekers with promises of big pay for little work.
Cameron Nakashima from the BBB says what they’re seeing is online job scams. They usually reach out through social media messages, texts, or email with “easy money” job or task offers.
These include re-packaging and re-shipping items, mystery shopping or “influencer/affiliate” posts that pay commissions. That’s what they say you are signing up for, at least.
In reality, they are fraudsters preying on people participating in the gig-economy. They are after your money and personal information. And unfortunately, they are good at what they do.
Here in Hawaii, Nakashima says since just the beginning of the year, the local BBB office has received 52 reports of online job scams, with $15,000 reported lost.
Here are some tips the BBB suggests:
First, be careful of offers for large payouts with little work needed – especially if the task or job requires that you “pay in” for the opportunity. If you are paying your employer or client upfront to get job equipment, certification or “starter inventory,” those are all reasons to slow down and do more research – those are signs it is likely a scammer trying to take advantage.
Second, watch out for “overpayment schemes” where the person who is pretending to be your new employer or client sends you a check for an amount way over the amount agreed upon. They’ll say it was an accident and ask you to send the extra money back. But the check they sent you is fake, and the money you send back to them from your account is real.
Thirdly, one of the best ways to stay safe is to research the company before you take the gig: Look up the business on BBB.org and search reviews/complaints and important history information. If a business you are working with online does not have an online reputation, that’s a serious red flag!