Virtual Assistant Scams: What Are They and How to Spot Them

What are Virtual Assistant Scams?

Virtual assistant scams have been pretty creative lately when it comes to the methods used, yet their underlying motive remains unchanged; to swindle you and leave you with nothing.

Scammers achieve this by soliciting unpaid work or services, deceptive incentives, or compensation bonuses. The individuals utilizing these tactics are typically intending to harm their victims. 

Therefore, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the following red flags indicating fraud to keep yourself immune to virtual assistant scams.

Top 5 Red Flags to Identify a Virtual Assistant Scam

While some may overemphasize the impact of hiring a virtual assistant on your business, there is no denying that more and more businesses are turning to virtual assistants for assistance. However, it is important to be cautious in the hiring process to prevent the worst-case scenario.

Identifying potential red flags early on can help avoid issues down the line. However, when dealing with potential scammers, it is important to approach them logically and with a cautious mind rather than jumping to conclusions and getting heated about it. Being aware of red flags during the VA search and application process and while working with them is the best thing to do in order to prevent such unfortunate situations. 

To ensure that you are not being scammed, here are some essential things to look out for:

1. Lacks a Portfolio

When searching for a suitable candidate, employers typically request a resume or CV. Although a resume can often serve as sufficient evidence of the candidate's identity, it can also be easily fabricated. Therefore, a portfolio is crucial in verifying that a virtual assistant can perform and exhibit skills that are listed on their resume.

2. Lacks Character Reference

Scammers are experts in their field, skilled at their craft. They have the ability to craft a compelling and believable resume and create an impressive portfolio with ease. That is why akin to conventional hiring procedures—you can check your potential VA’s character references– as a means of authenticating a candidate's credentials.

By conversing with former employers, you can glean insight into a candidate's work ethic and performance. The absence of any character references from a VA may indicate a potential issue.

3. The offering rate is too low for the VA’s Qualifications or Job Workload

If the VA consistently offers rates that are significantly lower than the competition, it may indicate a lack of experience, subpar work quality, or even an intention to cut corners. In the long run, this may actually end up costing you more money and time.

It is important to remember that when it comes to hiring a virtual assistant, you don't just want to find the cheapest option but the most qualified and trustworthy one. Don't be afraid to ask the VA for an explanation of their rates and how they justify them.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether the cheaper rate is worth the potential risk. But in general, experienced and reliable VAs will charge fair rates that reflect the value they offer.

4. Avoids having a meeting with you

Suppose that the VA impressed you during the interview and had a successful portfolio. However, once you began working together, you noticed that the VA kept avoiding meeting with you. While this behavior doesn't automatically suggest that the VA is fraudulent, it is possible that you're dealing with an unofficial third-party agency. While the individual you're communicating with may not be the one completing your work.

5. Asks for confidential information

There may be instances when a virtual assistant requires certain details to complete tasks or authenticate your identity. They may ask you for usernames, passwords, or IDs. However, as the employer, make sure that you are aware of where they need those confidential data for. It is advisable to exercise caution if the VA demands data that seems unnecessary or raises discomfort. Such instances could serve as warning signs.

It is crucial to remain vigilant of scam artists or identity fraudsters disguising themselves as VAs. Trust your intuition and remain alert for any discrepancies or inconsistencies with the virtual assistant. These could be potential indications of something amiss.

How to Avoid Virtual Assistant Scams

To steer clear of virtual assistant scams and secure a reputable company, conducting a thorough analysis will provide insight into the company's services prior to engaging with them. Below are a few tips to help you avoid virtual assistant scams:

1. Check Virtual Assistant Reviews

When researching purchases or service providers, most of us turn to review pages as our go-to source. We want to ensure that the service or product we are considering is being used and how people feel about their experience. Reviews give us valuable insight into company operations, such as their ability to meet deadlines and quality control standards.

In conjunction, it's just as crucial to check employee reviews to learn how current and past employees feel about the company and its leadership. You'll gain insight into employee morale, retention rates, and other essential aspects of the business. By doing so, you can safeguard yourself against virtual assistant job scams.

2. Comb Through Their Website

Nowadays, almost all companies have websites that can offer insight into their operations. By examining a company's website, you can discover if their "About Us" page offers meaningful details or if it's merely a contact form. Additionally, you can determine if they have a clear mission statement and a legitimate business address. These straightforward and critical information about a company's reputation. It can also help you avoid falling prey to virtual assistant scams. Conversely, if a company's website is deficient in information, they may be concealing something, or they could be utilizing unskilled web designers and developers.

3. Get Everything in Writing

In case you have a positive impression of a VA company based on their profile and decide to have an in-person meeting with them, it's crucial to ensure that they are willing to commit to all their deliverables by putting it in writing with a virtual assistant contract. If they prefer to rely on verbal agreements, it's reasonable to be skeptical about their reliability.

Suppose you lack knowledge about drafting contracts for a virtual assistant. In that case, it's even more crucial to select a reputable company that provides clear and straightforward contracts that include the expected deliverables and their corresponding timelines. If the VA company doesn't offer a written contract, it's yet another warning sign that should not be overlooked.

4. Go with Your Gut

Ultimately, our instincts can be our most reliable safeguard against falling victim to scams. If something feels amiss with the individuals you're interacting with, or if the offer appears too good to be legitimate, it's best to walk away. Virtual assistant scams can result in significant issues, and they can consume your time and money. Thus, it's prudent not to collaborate with any company that makes you feel uneasy or uncertain.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to hire a virtual assistant, your primary criterion should be a partner that is trustworthy. While most virtual assistants are genuine with their craft, there are numerous virtual assistant scams to be wary of. If you're interested in growing your business with the assistance of a virtual assistant, you must work with a company that values its employees and shares your commitment to success.

If you're considering hiring a VA company to provide virtual assistant services, ensure that you select a reputable and ethical one. Falling prey to virtual assistant scams can result in dissatisfaction with your VA's performance.

Look no further, as SMART VAs can help you with your virtual assistant needs. With over 300 satisfied clients, you can trust that we won't scam you. Visit our website for further information.