“She was excited. She thought she found a job,” said Jenkins.
The email stated the work-from-home position offered a salary between $2,500 and $5,000 and asked the recipient to click a link for more information.
Jenkins said he recognized it was a phishing scam right away due to the vague language and the request for personal data.
“Everybody needs a job but that’s a good way to lose a lot of money,” said Jenkins.
Fake job offers can come in the form of email, instant message, and phone calls and some ask for money up front for a security deposit or to purchase products.
Over the past year there have been over 1,700 job related scams reported across the U.S. to the B.B.B. Scam Tracker.
Be especially wary of generic job titles and one industry in particular, “work at home opportunities can be a really scammy industry,” said B.B.B. vice president of communications Sheri Sword.
The emails may look official and the sender may have read over your online resume and know details about you, said Sword.
“Do your homework. Be wary of typos and bad grammar. If they ask you to send money- if they ask you for your personal information in advance- those are red flags we all need to watch out for,” Sword said.
If you have any doubt about a job offer research the company online and call them directly to make sure it is legitimate, said Jenkins.
Welcome to the real world
Students in the Miami Valley are getting a crash course in adulthood from an OSU Extension program called "Real Money. Real World."
“Kids today go into college not knowing anything. Some parents don’t teach their kids how to do a checkbook,” said OSU Extension program assistant Chelsea Sites, who conducted the money management simulation recently at Centerville High School.
In the workshop, students are given a random “life” which includes a job with a certain salary, a child or two, and a spouse with a part-time job.
Then they learn about their food, clothing, entertainment, and transportation options -and spend within their means.
The biggest shock is the cost of children, according to student Tilly Gamble.
“It’s kind of crazy. I didn’t realize how much I cost my parents. I kind of feel bad now,” said Gamble.
Drew Tomes is a financial coach at Wright Patt Credit Union and volunteers to teach students about transportation costs.
“We are talking about not just a car payment but the upkeep and the gas,” said Tomes, “you may want that cool sports car but you have three kids- that’s not really going to work.”
Sophomore Madison Janky said it was an eye-opening experience.
“I definitely will benefit my whole life from this class,” said Janky.
Sites said you can help your kids at home by counting money, going over your household budget, and explaining the reasons behind your money management decisions.
If you would like to see the "Real Money. Real World."program in your child's school contact the OSU Extension in your county.
Seasonal allergies could lead to food reactions
If grass, trees, and flowers make your nose run and your eyes water, eating particular fresh fruits and vegetables might make your mouth and throat itch.
Norma Curry of Miami Township said it happens to her granddaughter.
“When she was younger she complained that bananas make her throat itch- and I’d think well she just doesn’t want to eat the banana,” said Curry.
Her granddaughter was later diagnosed with oral allergy syndrome.
"It's very common. We breathe in allergens and our soft tissues are exposed to them- so you are already primed for a reaction," said Dr. Terri Moncrief, with the Allergy and Asthma Center of Dayton, "if you add on top of that another allergen that is very similar to what's already on your palate or already in your nose - it increases the likelihood of having symptoms."
You may have an itchy throat, tongue or mouth or itchiness in another surprising place.
“Hay fever time in the late summer we notice people will have itching of the ears with bananas,” said Dr. Moncrief.
Cooking and/or peeling the fruit or vegetable will help stop symptoms, according to Dr. Moncrief.
If you do experience symptoms when eating fruits and vegetables you should see an allergist to make sure it is due to oral allergy syndrome and not a more serious food allergy.
Rachel Murray is a WHIO-TV consumer reporter. You can watch her reports on News Center 7, follow her on Twitter @RMurrayWHIO, and like her fan page on Facebook.
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