Beware fake job ads that steal ID and swindle money: WRPS

Waterloo regional police are warning people about employment scams after 28 people have fallen for fake job ads since the start of the year.

Police say there are a few different scams right now.

In some cases people are asked to send the employer money to pay for a background check or supplies or they're sent a cheque and told to return the remainder of the money before they realize the cheque won't clear the bank.

In other cases, people are asked for personal and banking information. Once that's handed over, that information is used to open bank accounts or file phoney tax returns.

In one case, a person answered a newspaper job ad and was sent a cheque for $9,200. That person was then told to deposit $7,400 in a Bitcoin machine.

"The victim became suspicious after they received two additional cheques for $9,100 and one for $8,700 and attempted to cash them at the bank," police said.

In another case, a person responded to a job posting on social media. After being offered the job, they were sent a cheque for $950 to buy supplies to work from home, but were instructed to also buy eight gift cards and send the codes to the fake employer.

"The victim became suspicious after they were instructed to purchase three additional gift cards," police said.

In another case, a person was asked for their social insurance number. They later discovered their personal information was used to file a tax return.

Anyone who believes they've been a victim of this kind of scam is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777. People who responded to a similar ad, but did not experience a financial loss, are asked to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501.