Work-from-home job scams on the rise in Mississauga, Brampton and beyond

Work-from-home job scams are the rise in Mississauga, Brampton and across Canada.

The job posts are found on social media. Typically they advertise for a work-from-home position for people with no experience.

“You’ve been offered an amazing work-from-home position and you’re asked to pay some money at the start,” Peel Regional Police said on Twitter today (Aug. 29). “Don’t fall for it! This is a simple grab-the-money-and-run scam. No reputable company should ask you to pay them to get equipment for your job.”

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says they are seeing an increase in this type of scam.

Sometimes the fraudster will use the name of real companies in Canada and offer victims freelance job opportunities to “boost” products, apps or videos using software that are not real, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says.

“After the victim installs the software and creates an account, they receive ‘orders’ or ‘tasks’ they have to complete,” the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says. “Victims might receive a small payment or commission in order to convince them that the job is legitimate.”

But the scam victims are asked to deposit their funds into crypto accounts or wallets.

Similar to crypto investment scams, victims will see funds in their crypto account, but will not have the ability to withdraw the funds they have deposited and earned.

Two recent Facebook posts in Mississauga community groups advertise for jobs that appear to be scams.

In the post below, found in the Meadowvale Mississauga Community Group on Facebook, the post has errors, which is a common warning sign of a scam.

But there is also no company listed and the person must “apply” by sending a direct message to the person who posted.

Another post in the Moms of Mississauga Facebook group looks similar and also has grammar errors.

Again, the applicants are asked to message the poster and not go through the company’s site. A quick search on the Citrix website shows no such jobs are posted.

In addition to Facebook and other social media, this scam has been sent to people via text and emails.

If you have fallen victim to this scam or something similar, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre suggests contacting police and the centre.

They also suggest telling family, friends, neighbours and co-workers about the experience.

“You may prevent someone else from becoming a victim,” the centre advises.

For more information on this type of scam, see the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website here.

You've been offered an amazing work-from-home position and you're asked to pay some money at the start. Don't fall for it! This is a simple grab-the-money-and-run scam. No reputable company should ask you to pay them to get equipment for your job. #fraudprevention @InspBrennan https://t.co/FpU4RPWcx5

— Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau (@PRPFrauds) August 29, 2023