Midmorning With Aundrea - November 5, 2020 (Part 3)

(Part 3 of 4) Many people had to start working from home when the pandemic lockdown started in March.

However, it looks like the trend may continue even after the pandemic is no longer a threat.

Employees and employers alike are touting the benefits of at-home working.

Millions started working from home when the coronavirus shutdown office buildings and it looks like the trend will continue even after the pandemic is over.

Naomi ruchim reports.

Akshay arora used to work in the office everyday for the real estate website zillow.

But he now at home because of the pandemic.

Naomi: "did yo ever see yourself as a work from home person" akshay 03:50 "i hav worked remotely in the past, i did not see this happening anytime soon, this is huge, this is a big shift in the industry."

In a recent survey 87 percent of remwant the option to keep doing so.

Several major corporations are offering many of its employees the ability to do their job at home permanently.... including zillow.

07:20 "mos measures of productivity have increased."

Zillow chief people officer dan spaulding says even with the move to remote work the company is keeping offices.

"we believe that i the future, even if people are working from home it's going to be important that they have our offices to get together, collaborate."

A study from staffing agency robert half found 61 percent of companies are advertising fully remote jobs and 60 percent are now expanding their search geographically to access a wider candidate pool.

"i think this is th new normal and that data shows that as well."

Akshay says performing his job at home... works for him.

"it's been grea that zillow has given us a flexible schedule where i have this time that i didn't have before, that's been amazing."

That extra time is now spent with his kids who are just steps when the work day is over.

Naomi ruchim, cbs news, new york.

In a survey from enterprise technology research business leaders predicted remote tech jobs could double in 2021.

Used car sales are on the rise and many are avoiding dealerships and having the vehicles delivered to their homes.

But scam artists are capitalizing on this new way to buy a car.

Kristine lazar explains.

Facebook marketplace is where carolyn bui thought she found a great car for her son in college.

A 20-12 honda accord for just 2- thousand dollars.

"i was a littl doubtful that a 2012 could be 2000 dollars."

But the seller told bui the car was discounted for a quick sale because her husband died and she was leaving for the military.

Bui asked to see the car, but was told it was in storage and would be delivered instead.

" i receive another email from the ebay that the car is shipping to my son."

She received a contract that appeared to be run through ebay.

So bui sent the seller 2-thousand dollars in gift cards.

"i just reall believed it was coming from ebay."

But the email was a fake and the whole thing turned out to be a scam.

The car never arrived and the gift cards were drained.

"if you paid via gif card or wire, it's unlikely you'll get your money back."

Steve mcfarland with the better business bureau has seen a rise in car delivery scam reports during the pandemic.

The b-b projects it will receive more than 450 complaints this year with those victims losing over 1 million dollars.

And that's just people they've heard from..

The group believes thousands of americans have been taken by the scam.

Experts say there are warnings signs to look for.

A car priced well below market value.

The seller says they are leaving for the military or there's been a death in the family.

Bui's scammer mentioned both.

They won't meet in person, often citing covid as the reason.

And the scammers ask to be paid via wire transfer or gift cards.

"and they want yo to do this transaction very quickly."

Bui says after she was scammed she found the same ad but with a different seller's name back on facebook.

"i want people t see that this person is still out there scamming people."

Authorities say experts say you should never pay someone in gift cards.

One young girl has a big ask.

But it's not for herself.

You can help.

Find out how next on mid morning.