Scam warning on teen summer jobs

(WPRI) - Lots of teenagers are still looking for part time work for the summer, but scammers are working full time to rip them off.

For many kids, their summer job is their first job ever, so with this lack of job hunting experience, they are prime targets for scam artists online.

"Everyone is relying on their smartphone, and going on Craigslist for jobs," said Paula Fleming of the Better Business Bureau. The BBB has received a record number of complaints this summer from teenagers who've been targets of summer job scams.

Promises of a part-time job with a huge salary are a big red flag, Fleming said. While many teens are tempted to apply for jobs that require limited work experience but offer those high salaries -- but the reality is that these offers may be scams rather than legitimate opportunities.

Be cautious about an employer that requires you to buy equipment or software, or even inventory to get your job up and running.

Make sure the summer job you're applying for actually exists!

Fleming suggests you go to bbb.org, or take a close look at the employer's web site; look for their address, and if it's a PO box, that's a big red flag as well.

And go the extra mile: If you have ANY inkling of suspicion about the business, even if its address looks legit, try entering their address, alone, into Google or Bing. You can find if there are other businesses nearby -- Google Maps and Street View can even give you a look at their office.

A real business can give you professional references; if they don't, ask for them and check them out yourself.

Click here to read more in the Avoiding Scams section of the Call 12 For Action Consumer Guide .