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Avoiding Fraudulent/Scam Job Postings

The Career Services Office at BridgeValley cares about our students' safety and their career success. We understand the effort you are devoting to your job search and future career.  Unfortunately, con artists and scammers will interfere by attempting to take your money or your personal information through fraudulent job postings.  These postings can be difficult to spot at first, so it is up to you to do your due diligence and to use good judgment.

Career Services at BridgeValley Community and Technical College hosts job postings and other opportunities to facilitate career-related interactions between students and employers.  While we make diligent efforts to curtail non-legitimate postings, it is impossible to ensure that every job posting is legitimate, and impossible to keep track of every employer and position after submission. It is your responsibility to thoroughly research information and options and take all necessary precautions in an effort to make informed employment decisions.  The Career Services Office follows principles set for by the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) and expects employers using its services to comply with EEO guidelines and adhere to the NACE Principles for Professional Practice for Employment Professionals in their employment practices.

 

Because scammers are not concerned with behaving ethically or legally, here are some points to be aware that might help you avoid being scammed:

  • Requires an initial investment - Do not supply a potential employer with your credit card or banking account information. 
  • Out of town/out of the country - An employer that sends you a check to deposit money in your account to buy supplies or make payments.  They commonly use the excuse that they are working abroad or out of town and need someone to manage things locally.
  • Too good to be true - Work your own hours, be a secret shopper, work for an a-list celebrity, or you can make $10,000 for one week of work.  These jobs often look like easy and convenient ways to make money with very little effort.  The old adage is accurate: If it looks too good to be true, then it probably isn't true!
  • Poorly written job postings - Typically, there will not be typos or poor grammar in a legitimate job posting.  Be very suspicious if you see either in a job posting.
  • High wages for no experience - Earn $100,000 in your first job out of college.  Again the idea is that scammers want to make you believe you were highly sought after to complete jobs anyone could do.  The truth is you will not make a lot of money without talent, experience, and specialized skills.
  • Work from home - There are legitimate 'work at home' jobs, but they are often difficult to find.  Do significant research and ask tough questions.
  • Send a photo - Please don't!
  • Bad website and/or no phone number - You search for a company you have never heard of before.  The first link is to Facebook or free website creator site.  It might look good, but the content does not appear correct.  You click on the 'contact us' and see no phone number.  These are all red flags of potential scams.
  • Recruiter has a @gmail/@hotmail/@live account - The posting appears to be from a reputable, family company, yet the email is from a free web-based service, use caution.  We suggest you check the open positions on the company's website to validate the position.
  • Interview at a restaurant - Legitimate organizations have offices. Be wary.

 

If you think you have been scammed:

 

The Office of Career Services at BridgeValley Community & Technical College strives for open access and connections between students and employers. All hiring and compensation for work performed by employees are handled directly between the student/alumni job seeker and the employer. The Office of Career Services makes no representations or guarantees about positions listed on its website or presented at any job fair and is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of employment. It is the student/alumnus responsibility for all necessary precautions when interviewing for or accepting positions, and he/she is solely responsible for obtaining necessary information concerning the employer. Therefore, employers and students/alumni are encouraged to request reference information from each other as needed to establish qualifications, credentials, and overall fit between the employer and the applicant.

All job opportunities are posted at the discretion of the Office of Career Services. The OCS may deny and/or remove access rights for organizations that do not support the policies and procedures of BridgeValley Community and Technical College or that violate state and/or federal law.

The Office of Career Services abides by the principles set forth by NACE, The National Association of Colleges and Employers.

 

BridgeValley Career Services Office

2001 Union Carbide Drive

South Charleston, WV 25303

[email protected]

(304)-205-6792