You responded to a job offer that turned out to be fraudulent? You were asked to pay for a job, cash suspicious checks, or you worked without ever being paid? Employment scams are on the rise in Quebec, particularly targeting vulnerable job seekers. This guide explains how to recognize them and what to do.
Types of Employment Scams in Quebec
1. The Check Scam (Most Common)
How it works:
- You're "hired" quickly, often without an interview
- You're sent a check to "buy equipment" or "pay suppliers"
- You're asked to keep a portion and send the rest by transfer
- The check bounces after a few days — you lose the money sent
Warning: A check can take up to 2 weeks to bounce. Just because funds are "available" doesn't mean the check is valid!
2. The Hiring Fee Scam
- You're asked to pay for "mandatory training"
- Fees for "background check"
- Purchase of a "starter kit" or uniform
- "Processing fees"
Golden rule: A legitimate employer will NEVER ask you to pay to get a job.
3. Unpaid Work
- You work during an unpaid "trial period"
- The employer disappears when it's time to pay
- You're paid with bounced checks
- You're owed commissions that never come
4. Work-from-Home Scam
- Promises of high income for little work
- "Product assembly at home" with material purchase
- Data entry with "paid training"
- Network marketing disguised as employment
5. Identity Theft Disguised as Hiring
- You're asked for your SIN before even being hired
- Copy of your ID "for the file"
- Banking information "for direct deposit"
- The job doesn't exist — your information is stolen
Real Examples Reported in Quebec
Case 1: "I was 'hired' as a personal assistant. I was sent a check for $4,500 to buy gift cards for the boss. I kept $500 as 'salary'. The check bounced and I now owe $4,000 to my bank."
Case 2: "A company offered me a sales rep position. I paid $800 for 'training' and $300 for the 'starter kit'. The company disappeared the next day."
Case 3: "I worked 3 weeks in a restaurant. The owner kept saying pay was coming. One day, he closed and disappeared. I never saw my $1,800."
How to Recognize an Employment Scam
Red Flags
- Unsolicited job offer (you didn't apply)
- Salary too high for the position
- Hiring without interview or with text-only interview
- You're asked to pay anything
- You're sent a check before even starting
- The company has no website or verifiable address
- Communication only through personal email (Gmail, Yahoo)
- Pressure to act quickly
- Request for personal information before official hiring
What to Do If You're a Victim?
If You Cashed a Fraudulent Check
- Contact your bank immediately — Explain the situation
- Don't spend the money if you haven't already
- Keep all evidence — Emails, check, conversations
- File a police report — You're a victim of fraud
If You Paid Fees
- Contact your bank to try to cancel the payment
- If paid by credit card — Request a chargeback
- Document everything for potential recourse
If You Weren't Paid for Your Work
- CNESST (Labour Standards Commission) — File a complaint
- Small claims — To recover your wages
- Document your hours worked and all communications
How Report Quebec Can Help You
- Complete documentation of your case
- Guidance to appropriate recourse
- Official record of the fraud
- Help identifying warning signs for the future
Victim of an Employment Scam?
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