Tag Archives: Important Alerts and Scams

Avoid Scammers While You Job Hunt: Red Flags to Watch Out For

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In today’s job market – remote and freelance roles are more common than ever, but so are the scams that may come with them. From fake “work-from-home” gigs, to bogus job placement services – scammers are constantly evolving their tricks to exploit hopeful job seekers.

Red Flags of a Job Scam

There are some red flags to spot before you get reeled in, and ways to protect yourself and your finances while you hunt for your next opportunity.

  • You’re asked to pay upfront. Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay for training, supplies, or job placement. Scammers may call it a “processing fee,” but it’s a sure sign of fraud.
  • The offer comes out of nowhere. If you didn’t apply for a job, and suddenly get an “offer” via text, email, or social media – be skeptical, especially if it seems too good to be true.
  • They want your personal info immediately. Requests for your Social Security Number, bank account details for direct deposit, or ID early in the process are major red flags.
  • The job description is vague or inconsistent. Watch for generic descriptions or ones that are copied from other listings. Scammers often can’t describe the role or company clearly.
  • You’re offered big pay for little work. If it sounds like easy money, it’s probably a scam.

Common Job Scams

Here are some trending job scams targeting job seekers, especially those looking for remote or flexible roles:

1. Work-From-Home Scams

You’re told you can “set your own hours” doing simple tasks from your computer. But after you accept, you’re asked to pay for software or a training kit. The scammer then takes your money and disappears.

2. Virtual Personal Assistant Gigs

These often start with a text or email claiming the sender found your resume or profile online. You’re “hired” quickly and sent a check to buy office supplies – but it’s fake, and you’ll be on the hook with your financial institution for any money you spend.

3. Mystery Shopper Scams

You’re paid to “test” a service or retail store. The scammer sends you a check to deposit, asks you to buy gift cards, and then send them the gift card codes. When the check bounces, you’ll be left covering the cost.

4. Job Placement Services

Phony recruiters or companies will promise to place you in a job for a fee. Once you pay, the contact goes cold or gives you access to a database of outdated listings.

Protect Yourself While You Job Hunt

  • Research the company. Google the company name with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” Check if they have a legitimate website, social media presence, and professional email addresses. Recruiters or legitimate Human Resources departments will email you from a corporate email account, not from a personal email address such as gmail.com or yahoo.com.
  • Never pay to get hired. If you’re being asked to send money for any job, stop and walk away immediately.
  • Guard your personal info. Share sensitive details only after confirming the job and company are real, going through a formal interview process with Human Resources, and accepting the position. Real employers won’t ask for this information before they’ve interviewed and hired you.
  • Use trusted job sites. Stick to reputable job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, or company website career pages. Be wary of job ads on social media or unfamiliar websites.

Job hunting can be stressful enough, so don’t let a scam make it worse. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember – if it feels off, it probably is. For more tips on avoiding fraud and keeping your finances safe, subscribe to our First Scoop Blog or contact us today.

Received a Package You Didn’t Order? Brushing and QR Code Scams

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Have you received a surprise package at your doorstep recently? Packages from an unknown sender, especially those including a QR code – are likely part of a dangerous new brushing scam. With new scam tactics evolving constantly, knowing what to look out for and how to respond is important. At First Financial, we’re here to help you recognize these schemes and protect your personal and financial information.

What is a Brushing Scam?

A brushing scam is when someone receives packages they didn’t order, often low-cost or counterfeit items like beauty products or small electronics, from a seller trying to boost their online reputation. The scammer uses the recipient’s personal information (often obtained through data leaks) to create fake customer reviews, falsely increasing the legitimacy of their product listings. While the merchandise may seem harmless, the real concern is that your personal information – name, address, or even online account details, have likely been compromised.

The New Twist: QR Code Scams in Packages

Scammers are now also including QR codes in these unexpected packages. The note may say the QR code will reveal who sent the gift, provide return instructions, or offer a bonus or prize. But in reality, scanning the code could redirect you to a phishing website designed to steal sensitive information like your login credentials or credit card number. Even worse, it may install malware on your device, giving hackers access to your data and apps.

How to Protect Yourself from QR Code and Package Scams

Don’t Scan Unfamiliar QR Codes: If you receive a package you didn’t order, avoid scanning any QR codes inside. These can be designed to mimic legitimate company branding and lead to fake websites that steal personal data.

Check Your Online Shopping Accounts: If the package came from a known platform like Amazon or eBay, login to your account and look for any unauthorized orders. If you see suspicious activity, change your password immediately and report the fraud to the platform.

Change Your Passwords: It’s a good idea to update your passwords on shopping accounts and your email if you received a suspicious package. Always use strong, unique passwords and consider enabling two-factor authentication for extra security.

Don’t Contact the “Sender”: Don’t attempt to reach out, even if a name, phone number, or website is included in the package. Scammers may use this opportunity to trick you into providing more personal details under the guise of resolving the issue.

Monitor Your Credit and Accounts: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit report and look for any unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. Also, check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.

Consider Freezing Your Credit or Adding a Fraud Alert: If you believe your personal information may be at risk, take additional steps like placing a fraud alert on your credit report or freezing your credit to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

Keep Devices Secure and Updated: Ensure your phone and computer software are continuously updated with the latest security patches. A secure device is your first line of defense against malware and phishing attempts.

Use Trusted QR Scanner Apps: If you must scan a QR code, use a QR code scanner app that shows you the destination URL before redirecting you. This provides a chance to spot suspicious links before it’s too late.

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Scammed

If you received an unsolicited package, scanned a QR code, or noticed suspicious activity on your accounts:

  • Change your passwords immediately – Update and strengthen passwords for your financial and email accounts right away.
  • Contact your financial institution – Report the incident and monitor for any unauthorized transactions.
  • Monitor your credit – Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit report and closely check for suspicious inquiries or accounts.
  • File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if necessary, start a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.

Stay Safe with First Financial

We’re dedicated to helping our members stay informed and protected from scams. If you ever suspect fraud or have concerns about any of your accounts, call us at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our local branches.

How to Determine if a Donation Appeal is for Real or a Scam

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Charitable donations are a great way to make an impact on the causes you care about. But when tragedy strikes, scammers may prey on the generosity of those trying to support the victims. Scammers often request donations on social media or crowdfunding websites – or may contact you by phone, text, or email.

Common Characteristics

Charity scams occur when a scammer tricks someone into sending them money for what they believe is a worthy cause. Be on the lookout for these common characteristics of a scam.

  • Emotional appeals. Scammers may try to tug at your heartstrings by highlighting victims of natural disasters, such as wildfires or hurricanes – with an urgent appeal for donations that purportedly go toward food or shelter. Scammers commonly try to get people to act on emotion rather than logic.
  • Unusual language and names. Pay close attention to the details in any request you receive – especially poor grammar and spelling errors. Scammers may try to slightly alter a real charity’s name or website by changing a single letter and hoping you won’t notice the difference.
  • Specific payment method. Be wary if a “charity” requires you to donate through a digital payment platform or other non-refundable payment method.

Even if a charity seems real, it’s important to research the organization and look for reviews before you decide to donate. You can also do an online search for the name of the charity with the word “scam” or “complaints” to see if others have reported any issues. If you’re unable to verify a charity’s authenticity, you may want to donate elsewhere. When it comes to sending money, always remember to slow down and ask yourself questions. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.

At First Financial, our goal is to help protect our members from scams and identity theft. If you have any concerns or questions about any of your First Financial accounts, please call member services at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our branches.

To learn more about scams and ways to protect yourself, visit zellepay.com/pay-it-safe.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Protect Your Savings from Investment Scams

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We all dream of financial success, but when it comes to investing, we have to be cautious. Scammers will tout a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will earn high returns with little to no chance of loss. These investment scams take a variety of forms, from financial coaching and management schemes to cryptocurrency and fake investment companies. After the unsuspecting investor sends their money, the other person disappears – and then the money is gone.

Signs of an Investment Scam

A scammer may post an ad online – or contact you via phone, text, or email with an unsolicited offer that seems too good to be true. But there are some red flags you can look for that may indicate the opportunity is actually a scam.

  • No Risk of Loss. Be wary of opportunities that advertise a way to make easy money fast and promise financial security for years to come. Typically, all investments require some level of risk.
  • Use of Pressure Tactics. You might see an “exclusive offer” to join a program for a limited time. This is a pressure tactic designed to rush you into making a decision without thinking it through or fully vetting the opportunity.
  • Upfront Payment is Required. If an investment opportunity requires you to send money upfront through cryptocurrency or a digital payment method, don’t engage.

Ways to Avoid an Investment Scam

If you think a scammer may be targeting you, remember to slow down and ask questions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Pay close attention to the details and do thorough research before making any financial decisions. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau and any applicable government agencies to see if other consumers have filed complaints against an individual or company.

At First Financial, our goal is to help protect our members from scams and identity theft. If you have any concerns or questions about any of your First Financial accounts, please call member services at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our branches.

To learn more about scams and ways to protect yourself, visit zellepay.com/pay-it-safe.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

 

Online Marketplace Scams Target Both Buyers and Sellers

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Whether you’re looking for a houseplant, a coffee table, or a new gaming console, online marketplaces can be great places to start. But be careful. Anonymous listings and virtual transactions are ripe for online marketplace scams, which can take a variety of forms.

You May Not Get What You Paid For

If you pay in advance for something you have not seen in person, the item may not arrive as advertised. In fact, it may not arrive at all. A picture of a cute puppy or designer jewelry is easy to post in a marketplace, but if you pay without knowing the seller personally or seeing the product, the seller can take your money and disappear.

Payment Type Matters

Pay attention to listings that insist on an unusual payment method, such as gift cards. Gift card numbers are hard to trace, so if you don’t get what you paid for and the seller’s profile has disappeared from the marketplace, it will be very difficult to track them down or get your money back. Also keep in mind that with many digital payment methods, once you send a payment it often can’t be reversed, making it even more important that you know who you are dealing with and what you are buying.

Scams Targeting Sellers

While many people are aware of scams targeting buyers on marketplace sites, sellers can get scammed too. One tactic is for scammers to fake payment receipts or confirmations with an amount that’s higher than the asking price. The supposed buyer may claim to have purchased a product above your listed price and request a refund without actually having placed an order.

Another marketplace scam growing in popularity involves a fake email appearing to be from Zelle®, claiming that a transaction cannot be completed until your Zelle® account is upgraded. In reality, the scammer is tricking you into paying them for an upgrade that doesn’t exist. Zelle® does not offer account upgrades.

Warning Signs: What To Watch Out For

  • Unreasonably low prices – Sometimes an incredibly low price is literally too good to be true. In most instances, it’s best to pass on this type of offer unless you can inspect the product in person and ensure its authenticity.
  • Sales pressure – If the seller creates a sense of urgency by warning that the item won’t last long or many others are interested, take your time and think it through. Creating urgency is a technique to get you to act on impulse instead of logic, and it could lead you to overlook something suspicious.
  • Fake profiles – Keep an eye out for telltale signs of a false profile, like a generic profile picture, only one friend or connection, or a profile name that does not match the name or email address on the invoice.

Slow Down, Ask Questions

When it comes to making safe marketplace purchases, remember to slow down and ask questions. If you detect suspicious activity, report the user to your marketplace platform.

At First Financial, our goal is to help protect our members from scams and identity theft. If you have any concerns or questions about any of your First Financial accounts, please call member services at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our branches.

To learn more about scams and ways to protect yourself, visit zellepay.com/pay-it-safe.

 

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.