As someone who’s been working as a virtual assistant and freelance writer for the past eight years, I’ve seen my fair share of virtual assistant scams.
I even almost fell for one many years ago. I was 20 years old and thought I had landed a personal assistant job from an ad on Craigslist. After applying, I was instantly hired and given my first assignment, which was to cash a money order at the currency exchange, buy certain office supplies, and pay myself with the remainder of the funds from the money order.
It all sounded too good to be true, and I discovered this was the case when the clerk told me my check didn’t look real. Looking back, I’m thankful that someone stopped me early on and pointed out the red flags of the scam. But I realize this doesn’t always happen to others.
Also, scammers are coming up with even more creative ideas to trick people with illegitimate jobs. While virtual assistants (VAs) are invaluable for freelancers and small business owners, the rise in demand has also led to an increase in scams. Knowing what to look out for is important, and these tips for spotting virtual assistant scams can help.
What a Virtual Assistant Actually Does
A virtual assistant is just like a personal assistant, but your work is mainly online. This means you can work from home so long as you have a computer and stable internet connection. VAs typically help clients like entrepreneurs, bloggers, content creators, and small business owners handle day-to-day tasks or special projects so they can free up their time to focus on other areas.
These tasks can range from administrative duties, like email management and scheduling, to specialized services, such as social media management, content creation, and customer support.
Other common tasks include:
- Calendar management
- Email correspondence
- Social media scheduling
- Data entry
- Customer service
Understanding the broad scope of a VA’s responsibilities can help you recognize legitimate job offers and avoid scams. According to the FTC, someone might post a virtual assistant scam on job board sites as well, so it’s important to be vigilant and do your due diligence.
Here’s what to watch out for.
1. Little or No Details About the Job Provided
This is one of the top red flags to help you spot a virtual assistant scam. If someone wants to hire a VA, they will take the time to determine which specific tasks they need help with and include this in the job description. When the job posting lacks important details, this should raise suspicion. Or if someone on social media says, “DM me for more information,” you may want to proceed with caution.
The bottom line is that people should know what they’re applying for and the required experience level before taking the time to apply. If the job description is very vague, this could indicate that the poster has something to hide.
2. ‘No Experience Needed’ Job Postings
VA jobs that say you don’t need any experience may also indicate a scam. If there are no credentials for the job, why have an application? Why not just give the job to anyone? If someone is looking to hire an entry-level VA, the job posting may say things like ‘beginners welcome to apply’ or ‘paid training is provided.’
But the person doing the hiring should also want to see what skills and experience you have. Some online VA agencies offer skill assessments during the application process to see what you know about the job’s duties.
3. Jobs That Promise an Unusually High Compensation
Don’t fall for VA job postings that promise an unusually high compensation for little to no work. Beware of phrases like “guaranteed weekly pay” or things like “earn $2,500 per week.” Some online jobs promise you lots of money for doing things like posting product reviews or product descriptions. But it’s rarely ever a legitimate opportunity.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. According to Indeed, the average salary for a virtual assistant is $26.25 per hour. Some VAs earn as much as $40 to $50 per hour, but they tend to have more experience and a specialized set of skills. Compensation for VA work is competitive, but you may not earn thousands of dollars per week, especially if you’re just starting out.
4. Instant Job Offer
This is a major red flag, and it’s the exact personal assistant scam I fell for. I saw a job posting online and sent an email expressing my interest. Then, I was quickly “hired” and given the green light to start working. I’m so glad I didn’t give any of my personal information, like my social security number or home address.
The job market is competitive – especially when it comes to work from home jobs. Also, a legitimate client or business owner would want to know more about you and your experience before hiring you for a job.
5. Upfront Payment Required
You should never have to pay to start a job. Even temp agencies offer free services to help you find a job. So, if someone asks you to send money for equipment or “startup costs,” this is a scam.
A reputable company will either require that you have certain items to start working or buy them for you. Either way, don’t send money to anyone online that you haven’t carefully vetted if they say it’s to help you start a VA job or any other work from home job.
6. Depositing Checks or Wiring Money
The FTC clearly warns against job scams where someone offers to send you a check or money order that you can deposit into your bank. They may say they want you to take care of certain expenses for them with the money and keep a certain amount to pay yourself.
The only problem is that the check is fake and will bounce. Then, the bank will ask you to repay all of the money out of your own pocket. Then, the scammer keeps the cash you sent, which actually went to their own account.
Be mindful that with VA work, if a client asks you to help pay their invoices or book travel or hotel stays, this is totally fine, but they will do this with their own business credit card. Or, they may give you access to their account through PayPal or Stripe to complete these tasks.
7. Fake Virtual Assistant Agencies
Some scammers pose as a legitimate virtual assistant agency (which is scary), but they promise high-paying jobs with reputable clients. They may even provide a website and portfolio of past work.
However, once hired, they may disappear with your payment or say you provided subpar work that doesn’t meet their standards. The catch is that your work will never match up to their “standards” because they never intended to pay in the first place.
How to Protect Yourself Against Virtual Assistant Job Scams
Now that you know some common scams to watch out for, here’s how to protect yourself when looking for a VA job.
- Do your research: Always research potential clients or agencies before accepting any offers. Do a Google search and look for reviews on third-party review sites like Glassdoor or Indeed. Check to see if the company is listed with the Better Business Bureau and if there are any complaints with the BBB. You can also ask for references from past employees or contractors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; trust your instincts if something seems off.
- Don’t share sensitive information: Legitimate clients will never ask for personal information such as social security numbers, bank account details, or login credentials upfront. If you’re unsure about sharing certain information, always err on the side of caution and go with your gut feeling.
- Request video calls: Before starting a project, request a video call for the interview with your potential client or just to ask questions about the position. This will allow you to verify their identity and get a better sense of who they are as a person. If the client refuses to show their face on video or wants to hold the interview by chat, this could be a red flag.
- Ask for a detailed contract or create one yourself: To protect yourself and your work, always sign a virtual assistant contract with clients outlining the scope of work and compensation. This can help ensure that both parties are on the same page and provide legal protection if disputes arise.
- Use secure payment methods: When working with clients, always use secure payment methods like PayPal or direct bank transfers. Avoid giving out sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, unless you’re sure it’s legitimate.
Watch Out for Virtual Assistant Scams
Virtual assistant scams are becoming more prevalent, but they can easily be avoided by staying informed and being cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true. Remember to research companies and clients thoroughly and trust your instincts.
VA work can be fun and rewarding, but it’s still work, and there are no shortcuts. If you’re interested in finding work 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 serve as a portfolio of your work and establish professional connections.