As with many aspects of everyday life changing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, employment and the job market are under large forces of change. 

A recent release from the Government of Saskatchewan outlined that a new scam is praying on those looking to work from home. 

As social distancing becomes an increasingly large part of a daily routine, the scam could pray on those with a priority for the health of themselves and others. 

The warning details that the scam informs job seekers of an opportunity to work from home as a securities trader. 

Potential victims are told that they do not require a licence to do so and would be able to take home a good portion of profits. They are also ask for payment of a fee before work would begin.

The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority states that anyone in the business of securities trading must be registered with the organization unless they are otherwise exempt from that stipulation. 

Anne Ford, executive director of the Family Resource Centre in Swift Current, stated that during a time of financial uncertainty, the listings spell trouble for potential employees in Saskatchewan. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic threat looming over Swift Current, The Family Resource Centre has posted a job listing for a staff member at the organization. 

Now, as the virus is forcing them to restrict their operations, she said that they would no longer be searching for another staff member. 

Being down a staff member at the time of the pandemic might have been something that helps their situation, Ford said.  

The organization has suspended activities in the wake of school cancellations, however, they do still support families in need of their services. 

She added that she had been receiving job applications in the time since they halted looking for a new employee. 

“We’ve had a few resumes via email, and my response is we don’t know when we will be offering programming again, we’ll certainly keep them on file, but there’s just no guarantee of anything at this point.”

She encouraged those looking for work to be wary of suspicious postings. 

Since the stoppage of programs, two part-time workers at the centre are without work. 

“The staff [still at work] are on payroll, and our other staff have supports, we’re staying in touch, seeing how they’re doing, staying in touch with families, seeing how they’re doing,” Ford said. “Even though our doors are closed, we’re still maintaining that support.”

She said they offer a program where students are able to have positions with them as well, which may or may not take place this summer. Ford said judgement on that was out due to the ever-changing situation regarding the virus.

“If we do have [summer] programming, it totally depends on when we are all able to get back to normal, or a new normal, whatever that looks like.”

The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority also stated that consumers need to be wary of anything touted as a vaccine or natural cure for COVID-19 as there is no such thing in the market.