(October 28, 2008)

Q – Christmas is Coming, What are Some Tips on Getting That Part-Time Job?

Many Americans count on seasonal jobs every year to offset holiday spending and provide relief for January credit card bills. People planning on seasonal jobs this year may want to get started now, and plan on being flexible in the work they're willing to do and the hours they're willing to work. This is going to be one of the tightest seasonal job markets the U.S. has seen in more than a decade.

According to an estimate by Manpower, Inc., the number of holiday jobs available this year may reach a low not seen since 1991. In fact, about 52 percent of retailers surveyed said they plan no seasonal hiring.

Start the job search earlier rather than later.
Now is the time for job hunters to determine which job suits them best, identify companies they'd like to work for and then begin submitting applications or resumes.

Work where you shop.
The job hunter will already be familiar with the company and its products and will be able to get employee discounts of 20-40 % when shopping for Christmas gifts.

Put your best foot forward.
Job hunters need to dress their best and be prepared for an interview. This includes being familiar with the company's brand and its products. Retail job hunters in particular need to focus on impressing potential employers with their customer service skill set-which is a must when dealing with stressed-out shoppers, long check-out lines and day-after-Christmas returns.

Be flexible.
Full-time employees usually have first dibs on preferred hours and shifts. Therefore seasonal employees will likely find themselves working long, sometimes inconvenient hours and even holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. For seasonal employees taking on a second job in addition to their primary jobs, they will need to be upfront and clear with their new employer on their available hours.

Q-What is our scheme of the week?

We have two that are being used by schemers during this rocky economic time.

Merger Phishing Scams

Online scammers are taking advantage of tough economic times. While e-mails phishing for sensitive data are nothing new, scammers are taking advantage of upheavals in the financial marketplace to confuse consumers into parting with valuable personal information. The Federal Trade Commission urges caution regarding e-mails that look as if they come from a financial institution that recently acquired a consumer’s bank, savings and loan, or mortgage. These messages may be from “phishers” looking to use personal information – account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers – to run up bills or commit other crimes in a consumer’s name. Consumers are warned not to take the bait. Here are three samples of the text used in these scams:

“We recently purchased ABC Bank. Due to concerns for the safety and integrity of our new online banking customers, we have issued this warning message... Please follow the link below to renew your account information.”

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“We recently acquired the mortgage on your home and are in the process of validating account information. Please click here to update and verify your information.”

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“During our acquisition of XYZ Savings & Loan, we experienced a data breach. We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below to confirm your identity.”

For more information go to:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/10/bankphishing.shtm

Debt Consolidation Scams

As the market continues its month-long hula, banks are tightening up credit limits. And this could lead to another credit crunch, especially for those with less-than-sterling credit scores. As the economy weakens, a growing number of consumers are paying big money for services from debt-settlement companies that claim to help them settle their debts for a fraction of what they owe. The Federal Trade Commission, which has seen an increase in consumer complaints, was concerned enough about the issue that it held a workshop late last month to examine debt-settlement business practices. If you can't manage your debt on your own, consider working with a local, recognized credit-counseling organization.