A lot of people are embracing contract/project-based work these days – including scammers.  A lot of companies, including Monumetric are receiving outreach from freelancers wondering why they aren’t getting paid for their work, only to find out the freelancer has been scammed out of their time and money.

First off,  Monumetric (and most companies) will always post career/contract/project-based opportunities on the careers section of our official website: https://www.monumetric.com/careers/

Identifying and reporting freelance and employment scams is crucial to protect yourself and others from fraudulent activities. Here’s a guide to help you recognize common signs of scams and the steps you can take to report them:

Identifying Freelance and Employment Scams

1. Too Good to Be True Offers
   • Be cautious if a job offer promises an unusually high salary, flexible hours, or benefits that seem too good to be true, especially if the requirements for the job are minimal.
2. Upfront Payments
   • Legitimate employers do not ask for money upfront. Scammers may ask for payment for training, equipment, or background checks.
3. Poorly Written Job Descriptions
   • Scammers might use vague, poorly written job descriptions with grammar and spelling errors. A lack of details about the company or the role is also a red flag. We’d highly recommend watching this TED Talk.
4. Request for Personal Information
   • Be cautious if you’re asked for sensitive personal information (like your Social Security Number, bank account details, or copies of your ID) early in the application process.
5. Inconsistent or Untraceable Contact Information
   • Legitimate companies have verifiable contact details. Be suspicious if the employer’s email domain doesn’t match the company’s website, or if they use free email services like Gmail or Yahoo.
     1. The domains that Monumetric use for communication are:
        1. Monumetric.com
        2. Monumetric.co
6. Interview Process
   • A legitimate company will typically conduct interviews (by phone, video call, or in person). Be cautious if there’s no interview, or if the interview is conducted via text or a messaging app.
7. Suspicious Payment Methods
   • Be wary of employers who want to pay you through unusual methods, like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services like Western Union.

Reporting Freelance and Employment Scams

1. Gather Information
   • Collect as much information as possible about the scam, including emails, screenshots, and any communication you’ve had with the scammer.
2. Report to Job Boards
   • If the scam occurred on a freelance platform or job board (like Upwork, Freelancer, or Indeed), report the scam to the platform’s support team. They can investigate and take down the fraudulent listing.
3. Contact Local Authorities
   • Report the scam to your local law enforcement agency, especially if you’ve lost money or provided personal information.
4. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
   • In the U.S., you can report employment scams to the FTC through their online complaint form.
5. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
   • Report internet-based scams to the IC3, which is run by the FBI.
6. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
   • If the scam involves a company, you can report it to the BBB.
7. Share Your Experience:
   • Consider sharing your experience on social media or scam awareness websites to warn others. Sites like Scamwatch and Glassdoor are good places to start.
8. Credit Bureaus (if necessary)
   • If you’ve shared personal information like your Social Security Number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report with major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

Preventing Scams in the Future

• Research the Company: Before accepting a job, research the company. Look for reviews, a professional website, and contact information.
• Use Verified Platforms: Stick to well-known freelance platforms and job boards that have security measures in place.
• Be Skeptical: Always question job offers that seem too good to be true, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something feels off.

By staying vigilant and informed, you can avoid falling victim to scams and help protect others by reporting fraudulent activities.