Job seekers beware: BBB says job scams cost victims $840,000 in three months

CHARLOTTE — The Better Business Bureau released a study Thursday, saying job seekers lost $840,000 to job scams in just the first three months of this year. The BBB says that’s 250% higher than the same time last year.

Michelle Morton was online, searching for opportunities to make extra money on the side, and says someone offered her a job.

“It was going to be part-time, very flexible, flexible during the day,” she said.

She told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke the person pretended to work for the insurance company Cigna and even used an actual Cigna employee’s name.

Morton says the scammer wanted her to buy an Apple laptop, iPhone, printer, and other tech devices.

“‘We will send you a check and you can purchase the equipment.’ OK. Nope. That’s a red flag,” she said.

Morton was right. Stoogenke says chances are the check would have been fake and the scammer would have come up with a story to get Morton’s money or the actual equipment. She says she didn’t fall for it, but that she did share some personal information.

“Violated. I know that’s an overused word,” she said. “They don’t have my social, but I did submit my (driver) license.”

As for Cigna, it knows it has impostors. It warns people about job scams on its website, saying there have been numerous instances and that it takes them very seriously.

Stoogenke told the company about Morton’s case. It said it would pass it along to its recruiting team.

“I want to warn others and I know, with the economy now, a lot of people look for extra income,” Morton said.

Stoogenke suggests:

- Research the employer online. See if people posted warnings about the business or people pretending to be with it.

- Be suspicious if the employer expects you to use your own money to buy equipment.

- Watch out if someone sends you too much money, wants you to deposit it, and wants you to send the extra elsewhere.

(VIDEO: ‘Tearing me apart’: Man says he lost nearly $100K in job scam)

‘Tearing me apart’: Man says he lost nearly $100K in job scam

©2023 Cox Media Group