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Consumer Affairs Alerts Residents About Job and Employment Scams

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Contacts:
Devyn Giannetti: (216) 225-9813; dgiannetti@cuyahogacounty.us


CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs warns residents to watch out for job scams.

This year job scams have cost Americans more than $150 million, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a Cuyahoga County Scam Squad partner.

A 20-year-old County resident lost $6,000 after accepting a job as a personal assistant. The job involved cashing checks and forwarding funds.

Another resident responded to a social media offer to earn extra money by putting ad decals on her car, but discovered her paycheck was counterfeit.

A local college student narrowly avoided a scam after learning about a job opportunity from a faculty member whose email had been hacked.

The Department of Consumer Affairs warns residents that a job is likely a scam if the boss asks a new hire to:

 

  • Deposit a check and then send funds – in any form – to someone else.
  • Create a bank or e-currency account for the company.
  • Accept or make payments by money wire.
  • Accept and reship mail or packages.
  • Use a home computer to print (counterfeit) checks.

Cuyahoga County residents should report scams to Scam Squad at 216-443-7226 or by using the scam reporting form at https://consumeraffairs.cuyahogacounty.us/.