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Job Scams Are On The Rise

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By STACIE SCHAIBLE

sschaible@wfla.com

Published: March 21, 2009

If you're looking for a job, scam artists are looking for you.

With unemployment up, con artists are getting crafty and coming up with new ways of taking advantage of desperate job seekers.

Kevin Jackson of Hillsborough County Consumer Protection has some tips for the unemployed.

"If you're asked to pay for a job upfront, they promised you employment and it cost you some sort of fee, that's a real red flag," Jackson said.

Here are some other tips:

•Be suspicious of any employment service firm that promises to get you a job.

"The only people who make money are those selling the opportunity," Jackson said.

•Be careful when job hunting online.

Anyone can create a Web site; it doesn't mean they are a real company, so do your homework, Jackson says.

•Avoid Web sites that require you to pre-register with your Social Security or driver's license number.

•Use the smell test.

Jackson says if something seems fishy, definitely do more digging.

"You have to have confidence in your abilities, your resume, your applications and you really shouldn't be paying for the opportunity to apply for a job," he said.

Reporter Stacie Schaible can be reached at (813) 225-2739.

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