How to Protect Yourself
Finding a job is challenging enough, but a growing trend of scammers impersonating recruiters is making it even harder. Job scams have been on the rise in recent years, targeting unsuspecting individuals through online platforms.
Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, attributes this increase to the shift towards online recruitment and hiring practices. Scammers take advantage of this by creating fake job postings and impersonating legitimate companies and recruiters.
Tehseen Islam, a quality assurance analyst, fell victim to such a scam. After going through an interview process, she received a job offer and a check. The scammers instructed her to deposit the check and send them $1,000 for equipment. However, the check bounced, and her bank terminated her account due to suspected involvement with the scam.
Be wary of overly appealing offers: Scammers often advertise high salaries for low-skilled work and remote positions to attract attention.
If a recruiter reaches out directly through social media or text messages, verify their identity before responding.
Check the company's official website for job openings and verify the recruiter's information on social media.
Legitimate employers should only ask for your skills, experience, and contact information initially.
Scammers may send you a fake signing bonus and then ask you to send money back, claiming it's for expenses.
If you encounter a scam, report it to the FTC's website.
By following these tips, you can protect yourself from falling victim to job scams and ensure a safe and secure job search experience.