The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects holiday retail sales in November and December to increase between 3.6 and 4 percent for a total of $678.75 – $682 billion (up from $655 billion last year). In addition, NRF is predicting retailers will hire between 500,000 and 550,000 temporary workers this holiday season.

As job seekers start their search for these seasonal positions, the BBB recommends applicants research potential employers and be cautious of fraudulent job offers.

BBB offer some tips to help steer you towards holiday employment:

Search according to opportunity. Aside from the traditional jobs on store floors and at the cash register, there is a huge demand for customer service representatives, filling backroom orders and getting them processed and shipped. Find out which companies are offering seasonal employment opportunities. Then, use bbb.org to find additional information on the company including consumer complaints, customer reviews and other details.

Apply to stores where you shop. Retailers prefer applicants who are familiar with the store’s merchandise, culture and layout. That gives you an advantage over other applicants. Look for jobs that match your skills. Some people enjoy working at the cash register while others prefer restocking shelves. Keep an open mind. You might find an opportunity you never thought of.

Be flexible. It’s a busy season and full-time employees are offered preferred shifts. Seasonal employees will likely find themselves working long, inconvenient hours, and on holidays such as Christmas Eve.

Be suspicious of online offers requesting money. Many consumers use online classifieds to search for local job openings. Unfortunately, scammers flock to these sites, posting fake jobs aimed at stealing money or the identities of job seekers. Never give your personal information without thoroughly researching the company first.

Look for signs of employment fraud. Be careful responding to an unsolicited job offer and don’t give out any personal information unless you have a face-to-face meeting and a formal letter of hire in your hand. Report scams and fraud to BBB’s Scam Tracker.