Unfortunately for those who have lost their jobs over the past several months, there are plenty of scammers who are taking advantage of those who are desperately seeking work. In fact, several state attorney generals are reporting that they have received numerous complaints about supposed “career counseling” companies that have been taking unsuspecting job seekers for a ride.

According to reports, a growing number of scammers have been promising job seekers that they will help them find a great job – for a fee, of course. Those who have filed complaints claim that these companies either do absolutely nothing after receiving the upfront fees that they require, or they simply rewrite the victim’s resume and then provide them with a list of companies and tell them to start making cold calls regarding employment opportunities.

So, how can you avoid being the victim of one of these scams? First, you need to be weary of any “career management” or “career marketing” company that contacts you. Many of these scammers look for people who have posted their resumes online and then make contact with the ones they think they can take advantage of. In many cases, they target managers and professionals and claim they only accept the most “marketable” candidates. In reality, they know that managers and professionals are the most likely to have access to the money needed to pay their fees.

You shouldn’t only be weary of those companies that come to you, however, as there are also many scammers who are posting advertisements and are waiting for the victim to come to them. Before you sign up with one of these companies, it is important for you to do your homework. First, do a search of the company on the Internet and see what kind of information comes up. Put more clout into the dissatisfied customer ratings, as it is far too easy for the company to post glowing reports on its own.

After doing online research, check with the Better Business Bureau. Don’t just look at the rating, however, as a company that is listed as being “large” can have several complaints against it and still receive a favorable rating. Rather than just looking at the rating, look at the actual complaints that have been filed against the company. This way, you can be certain the service you are getting is legitimate and will be beneficial to you.

Finally, make sure to read through the contract carefully so you will be clear on what the company is offering. If a company representative tells you that you are “guaranteed” to find a job through the service, you should hang onto your money and look elsewhere. The reality is that no company can guarantee job placement. Similarly, watch out for companies that promise to put you in touch with companies with unpublished job openings. While you certainly want to work with a company that can put you on the inside track, many of the scammers claiming to offer this perk will simply provide you with the contact information for various companies, which is something you can do on your own.

While there are several legitimate career counseling companies out there that can help put you on the right track toward finding a great job, there are also many scammers who provide very little benefit. Since most of these companies are asking for fees that can be well over $5,000, it is essential for you to be certain the company you have selected is legitimate and will truly be able to help you land the type of job you are seeking.