Is the job I am applying for going to scam me.?

Question

I applied for an internet job with Americare Health Plan Inc. Everything seems to be okay except they want me to send a copy of my SSN card. I don't feel comfortable with that so I was wondering if this company is a huge scam or if it is a well known company.

Answer 1

Why do they need a copy of you SSN card?

I don't think that there is a legitimate reason for them to require you to submit a copy of your SSN card! Don't send it until they prove to you that they are a legitimate employer.

Ask them for their Tax ID number - for companies, that is "public information" - and where they are incorporated (state). Effectively, a company's tax ID number is the company's SSN in the U.S.

Then, when (if) they send you their Tax ID number and the state where they are incorporated, contact that state's "secretary of state" or where ever the corporate records for the state are maintained, and ask if it is a real company, real tax ID number, and "in good standing" with the state. Also, check the Better Business Bureau for the city where they are supposedly located and see if it is a legitimate company with no complaints filed agains it.

If they are not legitimate, turn them in to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The URL is http://www.ic3.gov/.

If they were hiring you, they would need you to complete an IRS form for them, and that doesn't require a copy of your SSN card.

There are companies with similar sounding names that may be legitimate, but, particularly with an "internet job", you are absolutely correct not to trust this one!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I've never heard of the Americare Health Plan Inc., but I remember how I read on Service Canada's Job bank under "job search safety tips" (see link) that "certain information may be discussed with a prospective employer, only after the hiring process has begun," such as your social insurance number (in your case, like the SSN card). Have you actually got the job yet (have they said, yes, you're in?); do they just need the number to process final paperwork?

Edit: And yes, as others have mentioned above, be sure to check them out with the Better Business Bureau, and try a bit more searching on them yourselves. Unless they're really, really little, most legitimate businesses have probably had something written about them, for good or for bad (google.com is good for a start, as are many other search engines). And if you get nothing but a void, as far as information goes? Perhaps someone just made the name up :\.

Answer 3

I can find Americare Health but not Americare Health Plan, Inc. Are they supposedly out of New York/New Jersey? I don't blame you for being concerned.

Answer 4

I don't know anything about that company, but any company that is actually hiring you has to have copies of two forms of identification for your I-9 form for the federal government. (It doesn't have to be your social security card.) But, again, any company actually hiring you for pay must have your social security number. I would come right out and tell your contact at the company that you have some concerns and are seeking "verification" from the company. They should be totally understanding of this and should have something they can provide you to put your mind at ease.

Answer 5

Whatever you do check the company out first. Contact your local Better Business Bureau and they can advise you if legit. Do Not give Social Secuity over the Internet-if legit see if you can fax and if legit they shouldn't object to that. Never post Social Security on the Internet-that's how indentity theft occurs-all thats needed is the Social Security no and what a mess you'll have on your hands if that occurs. You should be able to fax it.

Answer 6

well, nowadays, almost no company will hire you without a copy of your social security card (internet job, factory job, fast food job, whatever job)

if they didn't ask for it, I would be way more worried, because that might mean they weren't planning to pay you

I don't know about that company, but you can check with the Better Business Bureau. They can help with scam alerts.

Answer 7

It depends if the company really exist honestly they may have e-mailed you, you may have talked but did you ever research the company completely? Look them up call 411 ask the manger for the address then look for the location even if it's in another state. If any of this doesn't work this only means your being scammed like I was. But it was for winning Disney ticket's they took off with $400 and my mom's credit card number she gave the tickets to my son for his birthday so we thought but no tickets. Please becareful and do the research before letting go your number we found out the hard way.

Answer 8

Could be legit... most jobs require 2 forms of ID (like a license, birth certificate, passport, military ID or SS card) to fill out your I-9. And if it's an internet job it's not possible for you to show them in person, so you would have to send them that information. I would be hesitant to e-mail that information, but if they were asking for a hard copy to be mailed or faxed to them I wouldn't see that as out of line. They *are* cracking down on illegal immigrant workers now, remember.

Answer 9

You have to give your SSN with any REAL JOB. Get over it, thats the way the world works. Dont know about the company.

Answer 10

Most employers require your ssn in order to make sure they are paying taxes and you are too. If you are nervous about it, contact the company and ask for details, how long have they been in business, what name(s) do they do business under, are they a member of their local BBB? Then contact the BBB and ask if they have had any complaints. If you still are nervous, don't do it. Usually your first instinct is best.