Iowa residents warned of rising employment and online scams

The Better Business Bureau is warning Iowa residents, particularly students and young adults, about an increase in online scams and identity theft. As the school year begins, families are encouraged to prioritize internet safety to protect children from scammers who use gaming apps and deceptive privacy policies to exploit users.

Employment scams have risen to become the second most common type of scam, trailing only online purchase fraud. Scammers frequently use social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to target young job seekers. These criminals often request bank account and routing numbers under the guise of payroll, which allows them to steal funds and commit identity theft. Experts recommend that job seekers research prospective employers and closely guard personal financial information.