Scammers target job seekers during COVID-19 pandemic

A way to pay the bills and provide for a family — it's what so many are looking for right now and it's leading some to search for jobs in new ways.

THOUSANDS OF PEPLEARE FEELING THE EFFECTSOF JOB LOSS.BUT 41 ACTION NEWS ISHERE TO HELP."THE REBOUND KANSASCITY" -- IS OUR WAY TOHELP YOU GET BACK TOWORK WITHOUT GETTINGRIPPED OFF.AND AS THE I-TEAM'S CATREID SHOWS US ... WITHSO MANY PEOPLE OUT OFWORK, SCAMMERS AREFINDING NEW WAYS TOTAKE ADVANTAGE OFTHOSE LOOKING FOR AJOB."I've been scrambling becausenowfinances are really tight."SINCE BEFORE COVID-19HIT..

JAY SAYS SHE HADBEEN SEARCHING FOR ANEW OPPORTUNITY,WHICH SHE THOUGHTSHE'D FOUND."then of course, I get my firstjob offerand it's a great job.

And thenthey goon a hiring freeze because ofCOVID."NOW SHE'S BACK ON THEHUNT... TRADING IN THETRADITIONAL PAPERRESUMES FOR ONLINE JOBLISTINGS."I can't even remember all thejobsthat I've applied to."BUT NOW SHE HAS AWARNING FOR OTHERS."there was something that justdidn'tsit right because it just didn'tfeel likea normal interview."JAY SAYS SHE WASCONTACTED OUT OF THEBLUE..

AN EMAIL SAYINGSHE QUALIFIED FOR ANINTERVIEW FOR AN OFFICEMANAGER POSITION.SHE HOPPED ONLINETHINKING THE INTERVIEWWOULD BE A VIDEO CALL,BUT INSTEAD THE LINKTOOK HER TO A CHATROOM."it was just questions and youcouldtell that they were copy andpasted."SHE PUSHED THAT ASIDE..THE PAY..

THE HOURS..WORKING FROM HOME..THINKING SHE COULDMAKE IT WORK.."well, now I'm super excited.

SoI'mkind of letting that suspicionfall backa little bit."THAT WAS UNTIL..

THEYASKED FOR HER BANKINFORMATION."I'm like, No, no, no, okay,that's, Ihaven't gotten anything.

Ihaven'tgotten an offer letter."SHE GOT OFF THE CALLAND LOOKED A BIT CLOSER-- FINDING THE EMAILADDRESS DIDN'T MATCHUP..

COMING FROM AGMAIL ACCOUNT VERSUS ACOMPANY.AND AT ONE POINT THECOMPANY NAME IN HERSO-CALLED INTERVIEW...DIDN'T MATCH THE OTHERMESSAGES SHE RECEIVED.OTHER WARNING SIGNSJOB SEEKERS SHOULDLOOK OUT FOR INCLUDE APROMISE OF PAYMENTBEFORE YOU START..

THECOMPANY SENDS A CHECKASKING YOU TO CASH ITAND SEND MONEYVARIOUS PLACES.IF YOU CASH A BAD CHECK- YOU COULD BE ON THEHOOK UNTIL THE BANKSORTS OUT THAT IT'SFAKE.AND IF YOU COME ACROSSONE OF THESE SCAMS FILEA REPORT WITH THE STATEATTORNEY GENERAL'SOFFICE.IF THEY CAN'T LOOK INTOIT -- THEY'LL FIND ANAGENCY THAT CAN.FOR THE REBOUNDKANSAS CITY I'M CAT REID41 ACTION NEWS.