Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning Ohioans to be on the lookout for a scam involving the promise of “airport jobs.” Recent reports to the Attorney General’s Office suggest Ohioans are receiving fliers and phone calls from a man attempting to persuade unsuspecting job hunters to wire transfer money in exchange for uniforms.
According to a Dayton consumer, the scammer convinced a local church to post a flier stating, “Work for American Airlines!” along with contact information. After speaking with the man who claimed to represent the well-known airline, the consumer sent $400 via wire transfer in exchange for a uniform, walkie-talkie, and pre-employment drug test.
Another consumer reported sending $212 via wire transfer to a third party in New York. The consumer was told the job paid $17.50 per hour, and the upfront fee would cover the cost of a uniform to get started. In both cases, the uniforms were never delivered, and the consumers lost their money.
Job opportunities scams often prey on job hunters who are willing to pay fees up front, often a few hundred dollars, in exchange for the promise of employment.
Red flags of job opportunity scams include:
-
Demands for upfront payment via prepaid credit card or wire transfer
-
Requests for personal information
-
Unrealistic salaries, benefits, or incentives
-
Vague job descriptions
-
Claims such as “No Experience Necessary!” or “Guaranteed Placement!”
-
High-pressure sales tactics
-
A lack of written information
-
Selection for a mystery shopping job you never applied for
Consumers should report job opportunity scams and deceptive business practices to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office by visiting
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or calling 800-282-0515.