Have you received an offer for a freelance copywriting position? How to spot a scam – National | Globalnews.ca
In Canada, freelancer scams are on the rise as unemployment rises and cybercrime threats against Canadians grow.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center has issued a warning on August 25thand warns people of an increase in job scams that could take advantage of job seekers.
Scammers send an email or text message offering freelance jobs to “boost” products, apps or videos with the promise of payment by check, wire transfer or cryptocurrency, according to the CAFC.
The offer prompts victims to install software that enables scammers to send instructions on so-called tasks.
“Victims may receive a small payment or commission to convince them the work is legitimate,” the center's warning said.
Multiple variations Cases of fraud of this kind have been reported to the CAFC.
In one case, victims are being offered $300 to $500 a week to have their vehicles branded with a company logo.
Anyone falling into this trap could fall into the hands of a fake check, which could result in the recipient losing money.
Scammers also target people who post their resumes online and offer various positions including carer, data entry clerk, quality control officer, personal assistant, mystery shopper and financial agent.
In addition to financial losses, these scams also carry the risk of arrest for money laundering, the CAFC warned.
According to the RCMP, more than $530 million in financial losses were reported to the center last year due to various types of cybercrime and fraud.
The Canadian Center for Cyber Security released a report Monday saying that cybercrime activity in Canada is “very likely to increase” over the next two years.
Notably, the agency ranked ransomware — which involves holding digital files hostage or encrypting them until a fee is paid — as the “most disruptive” form of cybercrime Canada faces.
How to protect yourself from job fraud
The CAFC urges anyone who has been the victim of job scams to do so Report it to the local police as well as the center.
“Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it is,” says the CAFC.
The center offers some helpful tips and tricks on his website for individuals and businesses on how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.
As a rule of thumb, never give out your personal information when making unsolicited calls.
Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between a scam and a legitimate offer, but there are a number of red flags. This includes, for example, an upfront fee before using services.
Caller ID, email, and website spoofing allow criminals to appear as legitimate sources, so extra caution is advised.
The CAFC recommends calling the company or agency in question directly if you have received a text or email from them.
Also, you should refrain from clicking on links you receive via text message or email, the center says.
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