As someone who has worked as a virtual assistant and freelance writer for the past eight years, I have seen a significant share of virtual assistant scams.
I fell another many years ago. I was 20 years old and thought I had acquired a personal assistant job from ads on Craigslist. After applying, I was immediately hired and given my first assignment. This involves cashing out the money order in currency exchanges, purchasing certain office supplies, and paying the remaining funds from the money order.
It all sounded too good to be true and I discovered this was true when I said my check didn’t look real. Looking back, I’m grateful that someone stopped me early and pointed out the red flag of fraud. But I realize that this doesn’t always happen to others.
Also, fraudsters are tricking people with illegal jobs to come up with even more creative ideas. Virtual assistants (VAs) are invaluable to freelancers and small business owners, but the increase in demand has also led to an increase in fraud. It’s important to know what to watch out for, and these tips for discovering virtual assistant scams can help.
What a virtual assistant actually does
Virtual assistants are like personal assistants, but your job is primarily online. This means you can work from home as long as you have a computer and a stable internet connection. VAS usually helps clients, such as entrepreneurs, bloggers, content creators, and small business owners, handle daily tasks and special projects, freeing up time to concentrate on other areas.
These tasks range from administrative duties such as email management and scheduling to professional services such as social media management, content creation and customer support.
Other common tasks include:
- Calendar Management
- Email communication
- Social Media Scheduling
- Data entry
- Customer Service
Understanding the broad scope of VA liability can help you recognize legitimate job offers and avoid fraud. According to the FTC, it is important to be vigilant and do due diligence, as someone could also post virtual assistant scams on job board sites.
What do you pay attention to?
1. There is little or no details regarding the jobs provided
This is one of the top red flags that will help you find virtual assistant scams. If someone wants to hire a VA, they will take the time to determine the specific tasks that need assistance and include this in their job description. If the job offers no important details, this should raise doubt. Or, if someone on social media says “DM Me for more details”, I recommend you proceed with caution.
The bottom line is that people need to know what they are applying for and the level of experience they need before they take the time to apply. If the job description is very vague, this may indicate that the poster has something to hide.
2. “No experience required”
A VA job that says you don’t need experience may indicate a scam. If I don’t have job credentials, why do I have an application? Don’t give anyone a job? If someone is considering hiring an entry-level VA, the job posting may say “beginners are welcome to apply” or “paid training will be provided.”
However, those who are hiring should want to see the skills and experience you have. Some online VA agencies provide skill assessments during the application process to ensure they know about their job duties.
3. A job that promises extraordinarily high compensation
Don’t fall into a VA job posting that promises extraordinarily high compensation for little or no work. Beware of phrases like “guaranteed weekly payments” and phrases like “Make $2,500 a week.” Some online jobs promise a lot of money to do things like reviewing a product or posting product descriptions. But that is rarely a legitimate opportunity.
Remember, if you don’t think it’s too good, it’s probably true. Certainly, the average salary for a virtual assistant is $26.25 per hour. Some VAs make between $40 and $50 per hour, but tend to have more experience and specialized skill sets. Compensation for VA work is competitive, but you won’t be able to make thousands of dollars a week, especially if you’re just starting out.
4. Instant Job Offer
This is the main red flag and the exact personal assistant scam I fell for. I saw a job offer online and sent an email expressing my interest. After that, I was “hired” quickly and a green light began to work. I’m very happy that I didn’t provide my personal information like my Social Security number or my home address.
The job market is competitive. Especially when it comes to working from home. Also, legitimate clients or business owners will want to learn more about you and your experience before hiring you for your job.
5. Advance payment is required
You shouldn’t have to pay to start work. Even temperature engines offer free services to help you find work. So, if someone asks you to send money for equipment or “startup costs”, this is a scam.
A reputable company will require you to have specific items to buy them for you or you will request that you purchase them for you. In any case, if you are not carefully screened to help your VA job or other work start from your hometown job, don’t send any money online to anyone.
6. Deposit or wiring checks
The FTC is clearly warning against employment fraud that someone may propose to send checks or mail orders that can be deposited with the bank. They may say you want them to take care of certain expenses for them with money and keep a certain amount to pay themselves.
The only problem is that the check is fake and bounces back. The bank then asks you to pay back all the money from your own pocket. The scammer will then hold the cash you send.
In VA jobs, this is absolutely fine if your client asks you to pay your bills or help with booking trips or staying at a hotel, but be aware that they do this with their own business credit card. Alternatively, you may be able to access your account via PayPal or Stripe to complete these tasks.
7. Fake Virtual Assistant Agent
Some scammers posed as legitimate virtual assistant agencies (scary), but have promised a well-paid job with reputable clients. They may even provide websites and portfolios of past work.
However, sometimes they say that when hired they faded with payment or offered a modest job that didn’t meet the criteria. The catch is that your job never matches their “standards” because your job wasn’t going to pay in the first place.
How to protect yourself from virtual assistant job scams
Now that I know of some common scams to be careful, here are some ways to protect yourself when looking for a VA job.
- Do your research: Always research potential clients or agents before accepting offers. Do a Google search and search for reviews on third-party review sites such as Glassdoor. Check if your company is listed in the Better Business Bureau and if there are any complaints with the BBB. You can also request references from past employees or contractors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something appears to be off, trust your instincts.
- Do not share sensitive information: Legitimate clients will not request personal information in advance, such as Social Security Number, bank account details, or login credentials. If you are not sure about sharing certain information, always pay attention to making mistakes and proceed to your gut sensations.
- Request a video call: Before starting a project, simply request a video call to interview a potential client or ask about their position. This allows you to see their identity and get a better sense of who they are as people. If a client refuses to show his face on video or wants to have an interview in chat, this could be a red flag.
- You can either ask for a detailed contract or create one yourself. To protect yourself and your work, always sign a virtual assistant agreement with your clients who outline the scope of work and compensation. This will help ensure that the parties are on the same page and provide legal protection in the event of a dispute.
- Use a secure payment method: When working with clients, always use secure payment methods such as PayPal or Direct Bank transfers. Do not provide confidential information such as credit card numbers unless you are confidential.
Beware of virtual assistant scams
Virtual assistant scams are becoming more common, but they can be easily avoided by continuing to provide information and being aware of job offers that seem too good. Don’t forget to thoroughly investigate your company and clients and trust your instincts.
VA’s work is fun and rewarding, but it’s still work and there are no shortcuts. If you’re interested in finding a job as a VA, focus on your skills and interests to narrow down your niche. Use tools like LinkedIn to promote your services and connect with potential clients. Also consider starting your own website to act as a portfolio of work and establishing professional connections.