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How to spot and avoid job scams this holiday season

Be aware of the red flags when looking for part time work this holiday season.

Back to BBB's holiday scams page

Retailers and shippers traditionally hire seasonal workers to fulfill holiday shoppers' demands, whether online or in person.

   

What you'll learn:

  • Why seasonal job scams are on the rise and what makes them risky
  • Red flags to watch for when evaluating a holiday job offer
  • How to protect yourself and find safe, legitimate seasonal work

hese jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, they are sometimes not all that they seem.

When looking for seasonal work to help fund holiday purchases and household bills, the Better Business Bureau has some suggestions to make the seasonal job hunt successful. According to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, employment scams were the second riskiest in 2024. Being proactive in finding the right opportunity is key, but be careful when a job just seems too good to be true.

Tips to avoid holiday job scams

Retail store manager with festive santa hat verifying clothes stock before opening doors for customers to buy on discount. Woman mall employee arranging items on hangers, christmas season decor.
  • Employers will never ask for payment upfront for a job. Beware businesses that ask applicants to pay for job supplies, application, or training fees. These expenses are the employer's responsibility -  and asking for money is a big red flag that something is wrong.
  • Be wary of job offers that don't require an interview. Even during the peak hiring season, reputable companies prefer to talk to top job candidates before hiring them. If a job offer is presented without an interview (on the phone or in person) or is offered only via the Internet, question the company's hiring practices and do a little more digging.
  • Be wary of big money for small jobs. If an employer promises outrageously good wages for simple tasks such as reshipping packages, stuffing envelopes, or answering phones, this is a red flag. These too-good-to-be-true offers are an attempt to steal your personal information from a fake job application and can cause problems for you for a long time.
  • Never work for a company before they hire you. A legitimate company will not ask potential applicants to complete complex projects before making an official offer. Before beginning any work, request an offer letter or written confirmation of what the job entails, including an official start date and compensation details.  

For more information

Concerned female worker looking at laptop screen suspiciously, thinking about problem-solving, reading ambiguous emails or negative news. Concept of focus and concentration
How to spot a job scam

Online purchases and package deliveries skyrocket during the holiday season.

See the signs of a job scam
Photo of sad businesswoman working at her home for Christmas holidays
Learn more about holiday scams

Learn how to protect your personal information, spot red flags, and shop confidently during the busiest time of the year.

Don't let scams ruin the holidays
Young woman in New Year's clothes is upset with a Christmas gift, negative emotions. People on a red background.
Learn how to avoid scams

The holiday season is a prime time for scammers looking to take advantage of busy shoppers and businesses.

Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker