What is a Job Scam?
January 15, 2025
A job scam is a scheme where scammers impersonate real companies or recruiters to trick job seekers into giving away personal information, money, or even free labor by offering either a dream job position or an unrealistically high salary. As the job search process becomes almost entirely digital, scammers find it easier to create fake postings and prey on job seekers. Staying vigilant against scams is more essential than ever, especially as job scams surged 118% from 2022 to 2023, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Continue reading to learn more about these scams and how to protect yourself.
Example:
A common pattern among job scammers is pretending to offer work-from-home jobs. They often use phrases like “be your own boss” and “set your own schedule.” The onboarding process usually involves scammers requesting excessive personal information or payments for things that legitimate employers wouldn’t make you pay for, such as training, certifications, or computer equipment. They may also provide a fake check for you to deposit into your bank or credit union, then ask you to send part of the money back to them. Once the check bounces, they keep the money you sent.
How to Avoid Job Scams:
- Research the job or company by performing a Google search with the company’s name followed by “scam.”
- Never accept a job that requires you to pay money upfront.
- If you receive a message from a recruiter, verify its legitimacy before clicking any links or providing personal information.
What to do if you’ve been scammed and where can you report it?
The FTC has a chart layout of the steps to take if you’ve been scammed. Follow the link here https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
To report a scam, follow this link https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Related links:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/2023-trends-in-identity-report-118-percent-job-scam-increase/