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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
From the Bureau: How a reshipping scam is fooling job seekers
Great pay and minimal hours are two of the several red flags to watch for
Bobby Hansen, - Better Busines Bureau Regional Director
Jul. 6, 2025 4:30 am, Updated: Jul. 7, 2025 12:36 pm
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Employment scams occur when job applicants believe they are applying for or have been hired for a promising new job when, instead, they have given personal information for a fake job. There are numerous versions of these scams. The pattern is that no paycheck is received and enough personally identifying information has been shared to lead to identity theft issues. Red flags for a potential job scam include requiring an up front fee, interviews by email and messaging app, a too good to be true job with great pay, minimal hours, no specific skills and requires the sharing of personal and financial information.
Enticing offers for those wishing to earn extra income working remotely can be very tempting, sophisticated and convincing. It's a con, and the purported work may help fraudsters. This scam has reappeared many times in the past few years and is surging once again. Watch out for variations on this scam. A BBB study found that 65% of fake online job postings are related to becoming a “warehouse distribution coordinator” or a similarly titled position involving package reshipment. Employment scams ranked second in BBB Scam Tracker reports for 2024.
How the scam works
A great sounding “job” is identified on an employment site. The alleged company is hiring "agents" to receive packages, inspect for damage, repackage and send them to a new address, sometimes overseas. The position includes reimbursement for expenses and pays a large salary. It sounds like easy money, too easy as it turns out. A tax form, copies of a Social Security card and driver's license are often requested. Access to an employee portal is granted and a 30 day probationary period is agreed upon.
It is not until after that time when it becomes apparent that no paycheck will be forthcoming. Many packages have been processed and the new employee has been unwittingly involved in a criminal enterprise as the items being shipped are likely purchased with stolen credit card or banking information. It’s a con and you have just helped move illegally obtained goods.
Victims report that the assignments are simple, open, photograph, relabel and send the packages. A consumer shared their experience with BBB Scam Tracker: "I was offered the job to receive and pick up packages, open them up to inspect them for damage, send pictures of the product to the company, then they would send me a shipping label to mail the product out. I was supposed to get a salary of $3,000 plus bonuses … I have still not received my money. The website is not working, I still can't login and there is no response from any of them."
How to spot a reshipping scam
- Be cautious of any job asking to share personal information or hand over money. Scammers will often use the guise of running a credit check, setting up direct deposit, or paying for training or work equipment.
- Be wary of job opportunities unexpectedly emailed. Legitimate recruiters may reach out to potential hires but be cautious when receiving job information with great pay and non-traditional interview process.
- If a job looks suspicious, search on Google. If the result comes up in many other cities with the same job post, it is likely a scam. Evaluate reviews accordingly.
- Check out the business' website. Scammers often falsely use the names of real businesses. Check on the business at www.bbb.org, review their site and give them a call to confirm the position exists.
Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org