Safety Tips for Suspicious Employment

Some employment opportunities may raise red flags for human trafficking. When considering new employment:  

• Request information about the position, scope of work, and hours/conditions of the position.  
• Do not provide personal information (address, SS#) to the employer if you do not feel comfortable.  
• If meeting with the employer, make sure a trusted friend/relative knows where you are going and what time you expect to return.  
• Plan to meet the employer in a public place where others are around.  
• Verify that the business is legitimate by asking for the Employer Identification Number (EIN). This information can be checked by calling the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at (800) 829-4933 (for U.S. businesses only).
• Ask to speak with former employees/clients about their experience with the company. This can be particularly important for positions abroad.  
• If the employment opportunity involves travel to another country, make sure you obtain the appropriate visa. Depending on the country and the nature of the employment, you or your employer may be responsible for securing the visa – make sure to check with the country’s regulations to confirm before accepting an offer.