Security Information

We want to help you find a job, but we also want to alert you of some common internet scams. Learn how to keep yourself safe! A scammer that uses a job posting site like HouseSitter.com is after one thing only – tricking you into giving them money. This is what a typical scam looks like:

An online scammer will email or send a text message to a jobseeker, stating they are from outside of the US or Canada and need service. They will send a few messages back and forth with you to obtain your information. Once you’ve agreed to work for them, the scammer tells you they will send you a cheque or money order for an advance payment. Usually, this will be for more than the agreed amount, telling you the extra is for equipment or something similar. They will then ask you to deposit the money into your account, and send the rest of the money to another person.

What has happened is they’ve sent you a fake cheque or money order. By depositing it and sending the extra funds to someone, you’ve sent actual money to the other person, and you’re on the hook for the funds. After some time, the bank will see that the money you deposited doesn’t exist and will remove the amount from your bank account, but you’ve already sent some of it on, and maybe have spent some of your portion. So the bank turns to you for the missing money. This is called money laundering – turning fake money into real money.

So, how can you avoid being scammed? It’s easy…

In-person Interview: If an employer wants to hire you without meeting you in person or in a videochat, be extremely cautious. Never accept advance payments from anyone without meeting them first and being interviewed.

Avoid Scams: If someone is very keen on sending you money before meeting you, we can guarantee this is likely a scam! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! No legitimate employer will ask you for your banking information or give you money without meeting with you.

Contact HouseSitter.com If you suspect someone that has contacted is a scammer, please contact us right away. HouseSitter.com takes reports on members very seriously, so we will make your report a priority. The online security of all of our members is very important to us.

Do not hesitate to contact us about any member or if you have any questions. You can also use the button on their profile to report us, “Please alert us if you think this is a suspicious profile”.