Virtual job scam targets people across Ontario

Another month and another virtual job scam is circulating in Ontario.

For anyone facing layoffs or financial struggles may encounter a glimmer of hope in unsolicited job offers. Yet, it’s crucial to remain vigilant as these emails, text messages, or phone calls could be another deceptive ploy devised by scammers.

In this recent scam, fraudsters send texts to victims. Operating under fictitious names, the scammers adopt a friendly demeanour, claiming to be from a recruitment agency. Adding a layer of deception, they often use the names of legitimate companies, misleading individuals into believing the job offer is genuine.

In this scenario, “Beacon Hill Staffing” is an actual third-party recruiting company based in the United States, not Ontario. It is also crucial to note the phone number from which the message is being sent.

The 226 area code is associated with Toronto, Canada. However, a quick online search reveals a mismatch between the company’s claimed location and the phone number. Such a check can verify to the recipient that they are being duped.

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The representative in the message informs the victim about a potential remote job opportunity and asks if they would like to discuss it further.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, fraudsters will exploit real businesses, luring victims with freelance job opportunities to promote products, apps, or videos using software they’ve developed.

Once a victim installs the software and creates an account, they’re assigned “orders” or “tasks” to complete. To deceive victims further, they may receive a modest payment or commission, making it seem like the job is “real.”

The fraud prevention centre advises residents never to share personal information with unverified people or groups. This includes their name, address, birth date, social insurance number, and credit card or banking information.

Additionally, individuals should block the number and avoid responding to the message, as doing so could allow a scammer to obtain important personal information.

On the Beacon Hill Staffing official website, the company addresses potential scams involving imposters on job search websites. It advises job seekers to be cautious of scammers who may request sensitive information, demand financial transactions, or use unofficial communication channels.

Beacon Hill recruiters will use official email addresses from “beaconhillstaffing.com,” “beaconhillsg.com,” or “bhsg.com,” and will always communicate with you in a professional and secure manner. They will also ensure that any job equipment and onboarding processes are handled through secure channels, the company stated on its webpage.