Work at home - flexible hours - good salary—sounds like the perfect job.
But criminals are using those come-on`s to lure people into a reshipping scam.
“They had responded to an ad on a job site, a website offering employment, a work at home job where they were supposed to be a shipping agent for a company,” says Michael Carroll, a U.S. Postal Inspector.
This job seeker received merchandise and was instructed to re-package it and send it to various international addresses.
“They will solicit assistance with people in the United States to have that merchandise shipped to them and in turn shipped out of the country,” says Carroll.
Postal inspectors say job seekers should be suspicious of any company with a business model that doesn`t seem to make sense.
“There is no legitimate reason why a company would need you to receive packages to turn around and ship those out of the country,” says Carroll.
Goods usually include computers, cameras and other electronics often purchased with stolen credit cards.
They are trying to hide something, they are trying to disguise who they are and what they are purchasing.
Inspectors say before accepting any job online, ask questions— some red flags may appear.
“Get specifics on exactly what you are going to be required to do, what the job entails. How you are going to be paid, when you are going to be paid,” advises Carroll.
If you believe you`re a victim of one of these scams, you can call 1-877-876-2455 and file a complaint with postal inspectors.
