Lately, it seems that everything can get turned into a scam. Home repairs, car repairs, and now even getting a new job can be a way that someone takes your money.

In the current economy, many people are looking to make additional income. Many of us need to add to our bottom line. One of the ways to do it is to get an extra job. This time of year season jobs and part-time jobs seem to come out of nowhere, but not all of these jobs are legit.

Part-Time Job Scams on the Rise in New York

The Ulster County Sheriff's department sent out an alert today that again scams are on the rise. As if we don't have enough to worry about with costs rising and the holidays approaching now we have to think about whether or not we are being scammed.

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The alert from the Ulster County Sheriff included the three things to watch for in the upcoming weeks. One is a notice coming to you that says you qualify for government help in the form of a grant. The avenues that the scammers are using are not how the grant process works. Basically, if you receive information about applying for a grant from any form of government it is most likely a scam.

The government won’t get in touch out of the blue about grants. It won’t call, text, reach out through social media or email you. In fact, real government grants require an application, are completely free to apply for, and are always for a specific purpose. (Ulster County Sheriff via Facebook)

They are also cautioning people about anyone telling them to invest with a guaranteed return. Be suspicious of anyone requesting your money and promising a profit. The last scam though I think is probably the worst for those of us hoping to make a few extra bucks during the winter.

How to Know if a Job Opportunity is a Scam

Be on the lookout for any job offer that tells you to spend money to get the job. I know I have seen some of these job promises on social media. They always make the job sounds easy, they say it pays well but first, you need to buy something to get started. That should be the big flag that you may be about to be scammed. And remember job applications can contain a lot of your personal information so be careful what you fill out.

Honest employers won’t ask you to pay to get a job. If someone claims you can make a lot of money in a short time with little effort – you just need to pay for starter kits, training or certifications – that’s a scam. Ulster County Sheriff via Facebook)

If you want to earn extra dollars this winter I suggest you look for a local business you enjoy and see if they are hiring. It will be much more rewarding to work local for a business you respect than to sign up for something that promises big dollars and ends up being a scam.

If you think you have been scammed the Ulster County Sheriff suggests you call Consumer Affairs at 845-340-3260.

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