MILWAUKEE -- You may want to be extra careful this Christmas season, if you are looking to pick up extra cash.
The Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin says scammers are preying on job seekers.
Crooks are getting creative, even pretending to be online giant Amazon.
Fifty employment scams have been reported to the BBB in our state so far this year.
"We all know these scams are underreported so there could be at least ten times as many," said Jim Temmer, President of the BBB Serving Wisconsin.
Temmer says several were part of the Amazon scam, "About ten percent. We found 5 or so that mentioned Amazon and again, this is not Amazon doing this!"
The criminals hook you in, especially if you are on the job hunt. If you are targeted, you will receive a voicemail or text inviting you to apply and will be asked to give up your personal information.
"Social security number they may say they want to set up a direct deposit so they need all your banking information," said Temmer.
After you give them what they want, the scammer vanishes.
"If you get an email or Facebook listing saying we want to hire you - no interview, it should raise some red flags," said Temmer.
The best way to be sure you are applying to a legit business posting, is to do your research. Go directly to the employer's site, not a website link the scammers could refer you to.
Click here to search the BBB's scam tracker.
