Why You Shouldn't Post Your Resume Online: New Internet Scam

There are literally hundreds of work-at-home scams out there, from paid surveys to stuffing envelopes. The latest scam takes advantage of your online posted resume to get to your hard-earned cash.

Here is how it works. Many people post their resumes online with reputable job search Web sites. The great thing about using these services is that prospective employers can find you. Additionally, it makes it easy to apply for jobs you find on the service. The downside is that other people are looking online for posted resumes. These scam artists look to hawk work-at-home schemes to those who are actively looking for jobs. They pose as legitimate employers and then send emails to the addresses they get off posted resumes.

One of the latest incarnations is the "money wiring" scam. The scammer sends a note via email (and it usually looks legit) explaining that he or she represents a company that is adding money transfer services to its repertoire, or that it is a new company specializing in money transfers. Often the email appears in the regular inbox, rather than in the "junk mail" or "spam" box because the scammer takes care to individually address each email so that it appears you are chosen especially for the job due to the qualifications on your posted resume.

The fake representative claims that she or he is hiring someone to test the company's system and work out kinks and bugs. The scam artist then mails you a fake check, and tells you to deposit it and then wire the money to the company, less a "commission" of between 5 and 20 percent of the check's amount for your services.

As with some of the fake lotto scams that have received so much play, the check is convincing enough that it remains in the system just long enough for you to lose a great deal of money before the check is discovered as a fake. You then find that you have wired an amount of money that you are responsible for, and the commission never materializes because the check is fraudulent.

As with any job, anything that looks to good to be true probably is. Any job that requires you to wire money, in any form, is probably a scam, even if you are provided with a check. Legitimate work from home jobs require much more work than getting in your car and driving to the bank. And you should always avoid any "job" that requires you to pay money up front.