SAN ANTONIO – While job hunters are scouring online listings and sending out resumes, scammers are working overtime as Texas reports employment scams tripled from March through June, according to the Better Business Bureau.
“We’re going to see this spike continue for the next few months,” said Jason Meza with the BBB. “It’s an easy trap to fall into.”
Courtney Bacon almost fell for a scam.
“I have been applying on Indeed for work-from-home jobs,” she said.
The expectant mother of three said she was looking for an extra paycheck to help make ends meet. When she got a text message telling her she qualified for a remote, flexible job as a personal assistant, it seemed perfect — almost too good to be true.
“There was no interview, nothing,” Bacon said. She thought that was odd and continued asking questions.
The employer, who claimed to own a golf course business in New York, offered the job which involved running errands, making payments and sending mail. He was offering good pay and hope.
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“The money was there, good money,” Bacon said. “It wasn’t outrageous, but it kind of was at the same time.”
For working no more than 10 hours a week, the position would pay $750, and she could start immediately.
“I guess I was really desperate for some kind of income because we have all of these kids and mouths to feed,” Bacon said.
She was skeptical. Then “Joe” instructed her to go to Staples to buy check paper. He would email a cashier’s check that she…
