Search results
Jul 18, 2024 · Learn to spot job offer scams with these 5 red flags: vague descriptions, fake web addresses, unprofessional communication, unsolicited offers, and monetary requests.
- Overview
- 17 common job scams
- Job scam warning signs
- 5 tips to protect yourself from job scams
- What to do if you've been a victim of a job scam
A job scam is a fraudulent offer for work that is intended to mislead people seeking legitimate employment. Often, the objective of scammers is to deceive job seekers into giving money, divulging personal information or providing free labor. When you're looking for a new job, being able to distinguish between a scam and a valid opportunity can keep you safe and spare you a great deal of hassle.In this article, we look at 17 common job search scams, discuss the warning signs to look for and provide valuable tips on how to protect yourself.This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Consult with an attorney or lawyer for any legal issues you may be experiencing.Key takeaways:
•When looking for a new job, you may encounter posts or communications advertising fake jobs or career opportunities.
•These advertisements or messages typically aim to steal your personal information or money, so it's important to avoid clicking any links or submitting any details to these scammers.
•You can control the risk of becoming a victim of a scam by carefully researching all potential employers and scanning job posts for suspicious behavior.
1. Fake job listings
Fake job listings come in various forms. Though job sites have measures in place to verify legitimate employers, scammers sometimes manage to get their listings posted. Other fake listings appear on social media profiles created expressly to deceive job seekers. The listings normally ask candidates to pay a fee to complete their application or to get started in the role.Read more: 10 Signs a Job Posting Might Be a Scam
2. Imposters
An imposter is someone purporting to be someone else. In the context of job scams, they usually pose as an affiliate of an agency, government institution or hiring firm. Imposters often ask candidates for a screening fee in the form of gift cards or a wire transfer.
3. Email offers
You may receive an email from someone claiming to be a recruiter who found your resume on a job board. Some emails come from legitimate recruiters, but others may come from dishonest people trying to deceive you. Often, the dishonest ones ask you for sensitive information, such as identification or bank account numbers.
Unnecessary calls
A scam caller tends to call persistently, trying to pressure you into accepting what they're offering. Often, they claim you may lose the opportunity to apply for a job if you don't immediately respond or agree to the terms.
Unprofessional emails
Most legitimate companies employ professionals to handle their social media and email accounts. Wanting to make a good impression on their client, they tend to send well-written emails that provide all of the information a candidate may require. In contrast, scam emails often contain obvious errors and vague contact details.
Fake accounts and websites
Since almost anyone can open and operate a social media account or website, scammers commonly create online platforms for made-up employers or fake channels for real companies. An obvious warning sign concerning these accounts is that they're scant on information or only newly created.
1. Do your research
Before applying for a position, conduct thorough research on the company to establish its existence and verify identifying details. Use a search engine to find the employer's official website and social media pages, which can provide useful information that you can compare against what you find in job listings or emails. You might find, for example, the email handle of the employer's human resources department. If you received a recruitment email from a different handle, you can tell that the sender is a scammer. Read more: The Complete Guide to Researching a Company
2. Verify website security
You can avoid illegitimate jobs by verifying websites and their security measures. Make sure the web address includes "https://" at the beginning, not "http://." This verifies that the site is both authentic and secure. You can also determine how long the site has been active and who owns it by inputting its URL into a domain age and website registry tool.
3. Trust your instincts
If you remain suspicious of a job or employer even after your research, trust yourself. If you feel uncertain, uncomfortable or jeopardized by an opportunity, avoiding it is the best course of action. Even if you can confirm the company is real, your feelings may be a sign that your values and interests differ from the employer's.
1. Inform your bank
If the scammer stole your bank information, asked you to send a check or processed a charge on your credit card, call your bank immediately and tell them what happened. They may be able to cancel the check or reverse the fraudulent charges. They can also help you change your information to secure your account.
2. Block communications from the sender
It's important that the sender is unable to scam you any further. Most email providers allow you to block a sender and report their messages as spam. If the scammer called or text-messaged you, block their phone number, too.
3. Report the scam
The FTC collects information about potential scams to help other consumers and candidates. If you're comfortable sharing your experience, you can submit a report about the fraudulent company so the government can investigate it. If you see a fraudulent job advertised on a job board or search engine, it can be helpful to report the posting, too.
Oct 4, 2024 · Learn warning signs and red flags to identify potential fake job postings, enabling you to avoid scams and find legitimate job opportunities.
Aug 18, 2024 · In this article, we explain what a fake job offer is, detail why it's important to recognize fake job offers, describe the steps you can follow to identify them and provide helpful tips for finding legitimate job offers.
- They want your personal information. If a job ad requests that you submit confidential information, such as a copy of your driver’s license or Social Security number (SSN), it may be a scam [*].
- They want your bank details upfront. Legitimate employers will only ask for your bank account information after you’ve accepted the job offer. If you have to provide any financial information upfront, watch out.
- All communications are on chat apps or email. If a potential employer insists that you only speak with them on messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Telegram, you’re signing up for a fake job.
- The recruiter seems off to you. The Human Resources (HR) department is the “face” of a company during the recruitment process. So, regardless of how recruiters are communicating with you (e.g., via email or phone calls), they should always be professional.
Aug 21, 2023 · Watch out for these 20 warning signs of a fake job offer and discover what to do if you fall victim to a job scam. It’s important to closely examine every job offer letter to make sure it’s genuine!
People also ask
How do you spot job offer scams?
How do I know if a job is a scam?
How do I avoid a job scam?
Is a job offer a scam?
Are fake job offers a scam?
What should I do if a job is scammed?
May 31, 2024 · If you spot a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker to help others avoid falling victim to similar tactics. If you are applying to jobs online, always do your research before accepting an...
