We want to help you find a job, but we also want to alert you of some common internet scams. Learn how to keep yourself safe! A scammer that uses a job posting site like PetSitter.com is after one thing only - tricking you into giving them money. This is what a typical scam looks like:

An online scammer will email or send a text message to a jobseeker, stating they are from outside of the US or Canada and need service. They will send a few messages back and forth with you to obtain your information. Once you've agreed to work for them, the scammer tells you they will send you a cheque or money order for an advance payment. Usually, this will be for more than the agreed amount, telling you the extra is for equipment or something similar. They will then ask you to deposit the money into your account, and send the rest of the money to another person.

What has happened is they've sent you a fake cheque or money order. By depositing it and sending the extra funds to someone, you've sent actual money to the other person, and you're on the hook for the funds. After some time, the bank will see that the money you deposited doesn't exist and will remove the amount from your bank account, but you've already sent some of it on, and maybe have spent some of your portion. So the bank turns to you for the missing money. This is called money laundering - turning fake money into real money.

So, how can you avoid being scammed? It's easy…

In-person Interview: If an employer wants to hire you without meeting you in person or in a videochat, be extremely cautious. Never accept advance payments from anyone without meeting them first and being interviewed.

Avoid Scams: If someone is very keen on sending you money before meeting you, we can guarantee this is likely a scam! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! No legitimate employer will ask you for your banking information or give you money without meeting with you.

Contact PetSitter.com If you are concerned about anyone you see listed on the site or that has contacted you through the site, you can report them here. Please include a link to the profile of the person you are concerned about - if available - the name of the individual as it appears on their profile and any other vital information that may help us better evaluate the user