Stay alert as scammers increasingly prey on job seekers by using fake opportunities designed to steal personal information and money.
At a Glance
- FlexJobs is a safe platform for job seekers to avoid scams.
- Scammers frequently target work-at-home job positions.
- The incidence of job scams reported to the FTC tripled between 2020 and 2021.
- Unsolicited job offers and requests for personal information are major red flags.
The Rise of Recruitment Scams
Job scams are on the rise, with reports to the FTC tripling between 2020 and 2021. Employment scams increased by 23% according to the BBB. Scammers typically pose as legitimate companies or use fake URLs to deceive people looking for jobs. Job seekers must be wary of scams that involve upfront payments, data phishing, and unwitting people to accomplice recruitment. Protect yourself by using trusted platforms like FlexJobs, which hand-screens job listings.
Work-at-home jobs have been a prime target for scammers, especially during the pandemic. Cybercriminals are adopting new techniques, such as generating AI-driven job postings or sending phishing emails posing as recruiters. Fake job boards are also prevalent. The key to avoiding such scams is verifying job postings with official company pages and being cautious of communication that involves urgent actions or financial transfers up front.
Identifying Red Flags
Identifying red flags in job offers can save you from falling victim to scams. Warning signs include job postings that offer exorbitant salaries for low-skilled work, or positions that are 100% remote. Scammers often use poor grammar and offer vague job descriptions to mask their deceit. Be cautious of unsolicited offers or those without a proper interview process.
“We’ve really seen tremendous growth in job scams,” Velasquez said. “I think that’s just due to the fact that we fundamentally changed the way we recruit and hire people.” – Eva Velasquez from the Washington Post.
Scammers might ask for your personal information through unauthorized forums or forms; legitimate employers typically only need skills, work experience, and contact information in initial communication. Requests for Social Security numbers or bank details should raise an alarm. Verify the identity of any recruiter by checking for a verifiable social media presence.
How to Protect Yourself
It is essential to protect yourself by researching companies thoroughly and to verify job postings on their official company pages. Avoid responding to messages from unknown recruiters, and never click on unsolicited message links. Victims of job scams should report incidents to their banks and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help mitigate potential financial damage.
“I’m a little traumatized,” said Tehseen Islam, who lost the $1,000 and unknowingly shared personal information with scammers.”
FlexJobs provides a reliable platform for finding legitimate remote jobs. The importance of using trusted resources cannot be overstated. Stay vigilant, use your instincts, and maintain secure channels of communication during your job search to safeguard your personal and financial information.
