Regulators: Don’t be fooled by work-at-home schemes and other job-related scams
By APWednesday, February 17, 2010
FTC: Don’t be fooled by job-related scams
WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission says it is cracking down on con artists who target the unemployed with bogus job placement and work-at-home scams.
The consumer protection agency has asked federal courts to shut down seven entities charged with peddling such schemes and to freeze their assets.
The agency says the Justice Department is pursuing criminal action in 44 additional cases and state attorneys general are pursing 18 more.
The agency is also increasing its efforts to educate job-seekers on avoiding the scams. FTC officials say any ad that promises a job in return for a fee or promises a business opportunity in return for an up-front investment is likely fraudulent.
The FTC is also releasing educational videos in English and Spanish about job scams.
