Avoid Online Job Scams With These 7 Simple Tips

Widespread layoffs rocked the tech industry throughout 2023 affecting workers everywhere, from Amazon’s gaming divisions to VPN companies. Searching for a job at any time can be stressful, and feeling a financial pinch during the holidays can make the situation seem dire. This creates the perfect setting for online scammers to snag new victims.

The very nature of job seeking makes people vulnerable to identity theft schemes. You already give up all kinds of information about yourself to strangers before reaching the in-person interview stage. On top of that, desperation can cause people to do drastic things with disastrous consequences, such as giving money to a stranger for more information about a new job or entering their social security number and financial account information on unsecured web forms.

How to Avoid Job Search Scams

According to the FBI, scammers also take advantage of people who apply for jobs by creating fake job postings to phish for personal information. The scammers then use the data they collect to commit identity fraud.

The FBI offers seven tips to help job seekers avoid phishing scams:

1. Research the Employer Online Before Applying

Does the company exist? Does the recruiter or hiring manager work for that company? Is the company hiring for this job? Verify this information on the company’s website. Does the job posting link to a secure web address that starts with https://? Hover your mouse over the link to reveal the true URL.

2. Verify Postings Found on Networking and Job Sites

If you found the job posting on a third-party job board such as indeed.com or LinkedIn, check whether that job is listed on the company’s website. Not every employer hosts a page with job postings, but many do. If you don’t see a position listed there that you saw elsewhere, take it as a red flag and continue looking for others.

3. Don’t Provide Bank Account Information Until You’re Hired

Scammers may ask for money or bank account information during the interview. A legitimate employer won’t ask for your banking details until you’ve signed a contract and are setting up direct deposit. Even then, they’ll ask to verify only the bank name, account number, and routing number or SWIFT code—but never your online banking username and password.

4. Confirm the Employer’s Identity

Do not accept a job solely through email, over the phone, or via a chat app. Insist on an in-person interview or video call.

5. Never Send Money to Anyone You Meet Online, Especially Via Wire Transfer

Again, scammers may try to get you to pay for supposed training fees or background checks. A legitimate company or employer will not make these kinds of requests.

6. Don’t Share Personal Data With Job Search Apps or Networking Sites

Do not enter your Social Security number or other personal identification information into online web forms on third-party job search sites. Save that for the HR department or hiring manager of the prospective company.

7. If You Must Enter Your Social Security Number, Make Sure the Site Is Secure

Check the web address for “https://” Only enter your information after you’ve been in contact with a human in person or via video call. 

Job Posting Scam Clues

Does a job posting seem fishy to you? Go with your gut and avoid it. Victims have reported an increasing number of hiring scams to the FBI. According to the agency, the average reported loss was almost $3,000 per victim, in addition to damaged credit scores.

It’s Surprisingly Easy to Be More Secure Online

Here’s how the grift works: Criminals create spoofed websites, often with stolen graphics of company logos to make the site look legitimate, to harvest job seeker information. The scammers post links to these phishing sites on well-known job boards. Job seekers fill out forms with key information such as addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and employment history. Sometimes, the scammers even contact the victims and ask them to pay upfront for background checks, job training, or supplies. Once the crooks get the money, they disappear.

Below are other common job search scam tactics to watch out for:

• Suspicious interview tactics
  In-person interviews aren’t always an option, so video calls are the next best bet. If the employer doesn’t use a company email address or verifiable phone number to schedule and conduct a video call, that can be a red flag.

• Requests for money
  If the potential employer asks you to pay during any part of the hiring process, it’s probably a scam.

• Requests for credit card information
  Employers don’t need your credit card number to see if you’ll be an excellent employee. Avoid anyone who requests this info.

• Recruiters or hiring managers who have blank or empty profiles on job networking sites or whose profile information does not fit their roles
  For example, the recruiter for a software firm based in Chicago should not have a Malibu yoga instructor’s profile photo, description, and qualifications.

Trust Your Intuition

Remember, if you have doubts about the legitimacy of a job posting, take the time to research the company, recruiter, or hiring manager online. A few minutes of searching for more information about a dream job opportunity can save you from a nightmare of future credit woes.