What are two recommendations for how consumers might protect themselves from such Internet scams?

How to Protect Yourself from Internet Scam...

1

Be extra cautious in creating a personal profile on the Internet. If you are a jobseeker, be aware that there are many employment/business opportunity schemes that are "too good to be true." There are bogus foreign-based companies or individuals that are recruiting U.S. citizens to work for them and offer attractive salaries.

• 
  Step 2
  If you have posted your profile on a website (i.e. www.gonannies.com) as a jobseeker and you receive a job offer by email, do not accept that offer unless you meet the prospective employer in person. In your email communication, ask relevant questions such as the full name of the person and/or company, address, telephone number and all other information you deem you need to know.
• 
  Step 3
  As a prospective employee, you will be required to provide personal information and may be asked to email copies of your identification (such as driver's license, passport or social security card). Be aware that employers in the United States require a prospective employee to submit these documents in person at the time you fill out Form I-9 ( Employment Eligibility Verification) and W-4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate).
• 
  Step 4
  When your prospective employer tells you by email or telephone that he/she will send you a check to pay for your salary in advance, do not give your name and address to someone unknown to you. Once you give this information, you will be advised that a check is on its way but there was an overpayment that you need to wire to somebody unknown to you.
• 
  Step 5
  If by chance you made the mistake of giving your full name and address and a check was delivered to you by a designated courier, and then your prospective employer instructs you to cash the check with your bank or a check cashing, go to the nearest branch of the bank that issued the check and verify the legitimacy of that check. Before going to the issuing bank, print and bring copies of all email messages between you and the con artist to show the bank personnel that you are interested in helping them crack down the criminal(s).
• 
  Step 6
  It is very important that you do not cash the check either with your banking institution or check cashing and then wire the money to your prospective employer or any designated beneficiary unknown to you. When the issuing bank confirms your doubt that the check is fraudulent, be aware that the transaction will be reported to proper authorities and will be investigated. The documents you furnish the bank will serve as evidence that fraud was committed.
• 
  Step 7
  Fraudulent Check that Looks Real
  File your own complaint to http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org. Keep copies of communications between you and the con artist, the fraudulent check and the envelope used to deliver the check to you. If you received any calls from that individual, take note of the numbers used to call you. Here's a sample of a fraudulent check issued to me by a prospective employer who hired me through www.gonannies.com.

Go with legitimate sites only and research thoroughly before joining any site is the best way to avoid scams.