"Put as little personal information (such as your Social Security number, your age, driver's license, banking information) as possible on your online resume," says Kayce Ataiyero, columnist for The Chicago Tribune. Use a P.O. Box instead of your home address; open a separate e-mail account.

Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails or form letters touting ideal jobs and overnight career success.

Check out the potential employer's history. Call the organization to verify its existence and the legitimacy of the offer. The Better Business Bureau is a good source for information. Avoid ads that ask for personal information not usually called for in legitimate job offers.

Back away in a hurry from those asking for an upfront payment for training or background checks and other services before a face-to-face job interview. Have you ever encountered a legitimate employer who did that? Don't pay for help in getting a government job.

Don't be scammed by guarantees of employment and salaries that are just too good to be legitimate. Be wary of offerings for jobs overseas.

Run up the red flag when you see misspelled words and grammatical errors. Same goes for cock-eyed language. Printed signature indicate a mass mailing.

Career Tip <http://www.commonsenseatwork.com> : "The bottom line: don't let eagerness or desperation to get a job cloud your judgment," advise Ms. Ataiyero. "Scrutinize the ad and investigate the company to help prevent" a rip-off.

Your first and best line of defense against scammers is your own common sense. If their enticements seem to be too good to be true, they probably are.

Article by, Ramon Greenwood, a career counselor with common sense advice on how to achieve your career goals. To subscribe to Ramon Greenwood's free semi-monthly newsletter and blog, go to Common Sense at Work Ramon's take-it-to-the bank advice comes from a world of experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of American Express, an entrepreneur, professional director, career coach and author.