Job scams have always existed, but with the rise of the internet and more people searching for jobs online, they have become more frequent and sophisticated. In 2020, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that 16,012 people fell victim to employment scams, with losses amounting to more than $59 million. Scammers generally target your money and personal information. To help you identify and avoid these scams, we have compiled a list of the most common types of job scams.
- Work-From-Home Job Scams Work-from-home job scams often involve ads that promise great pay for working remotely. Scammers may try to get your money by charging you fees for enrollment, training, or useless certifications. Examples of fake work-from-home job offers include stuffing envelopes, reselling merchandise, data entry scams, reshipping scams, rebate processing, and assembling crafts/products.
- Emailed Fake Job Offers Receiving an unsolicited job offer through email is another common job scam. The sender may ask for your personal information, such as your driver’s license, Social Security Number, or bank account information, which can then be used for nefarious purposes.
- Fake Jobs on Social Media Scammers often create fake profiles on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn to advertise fake job opportunities. To identify a job scam on social media, verify the legitimacy of the recruiter or employer’s social media account.
- Government and Postal Service Job Scams Some job scams involve promising a position with the federal government or the US Postal Service (USPS). Always remember that all federal jobs are free to apply for. To ensure that a federal job ad is legitimate, only apply through the official websites such as USAJobs, USA.gov, and the USPS Career Page.
- Job Scams on Verified Job Sites Even popular job search sites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Craigslist can have fake job ads. Although the job boards may be verified, the employers and job offers may not be. Always exercise caution and do your research before applying for a job on these platforms.
- Job Placement Service Scams Scammers may also impersonate job placement services, such as staffing agencies and headhunters. Keep in mind that legitimate headhunters and placement professionals will never ask you to pay for their services – the employer always foots the bill.
- Fake Employment or Recruitment Websites Some scammers create fake employment or recruitment websites that can be difficult to identify as fraudulent. These sites may ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security Number or bank details under the pretense of a pre-screening or immediate paycheck deposit.
Job scams can be deceptive and costly, both financially and emotionally. By being aware of the common types of job scams and knowing how to spot them, you can protect yourself and your personal information while searching for a job. Always remember to do your research, verify the legitimacy of the recruiter or employer, and never provide sensitive information without confirming the authenticity of the job offer.
10 Warning Signs to Help You Spot a Job Scam
Introduction: Job scams can be difficult to identify, but there are warning signs that can help you avoid falling victim to these deceptions. Here are 10 common red flags to watch out for when you receive a job offer or come across a job listing.
- Non-company email domains and teleconference applications If you are contacted by someone claiming to represent a company, but their email address does not match the company’s domain, be cautious. Legitimate recruiters will typically use official company email addresses.
- Required purchase of start-up equipment If a job requires you to purchase equipment or materials from the company before you can start working, it may be a scam. Legitimate employers generally do not require you to buy anything upfront.
- Non-refundable registration fees Job scams often involve asking for a non-refundable registration fee. Legitimate job offers will not require you to pay money to secure the position.
- Request for bank account information If an employer asks for your bank account information before you start working, be cautious. This could be an attempt to access your funds or steal your identity.
- Early employment contracts requesting personal information Be wary of employment contracts that ask for personal identifiable information such as your Social Security Number or bank details before you have officially accepted the position.
- Job postings not on company websites If a job posting appears on job boards but not on the company’s official website, it may be a scam. Always verify job listings on the company’s website.
- Slightly altered websites If the potential employer’s website appears suspicious or is a slight variation of a well-known company’s domain, be cautious. Scammers often create fake websites to appear legitimate.
- Errors and vague job descriptions Poorly written job ads with vague descriptions and requirements can be a sign of a job scam. Legitimate job listings will typically provide clear and detailed information about the position.
- Urgency to hire If a potential employer seems overly eager to hire you immediately or within a short time frame, be cautious. Scammers often use a sense of urgency to pressure job seekers into accepting fraudulent offers.
- Broad job requirements with high pay If a job listing has requirements that apply to almost anyone and offers unusually high pay, be wary. Scammers often use unrealistic compensation to lure in job seekers.
Job scams can be costly and harmful to job seekers. By being aware of these 10 warning signs, you can protect yourself from falling victim to a scam. Always research potential employers, verify the legitimacy of job offers, and never provide personal information without confirming the authenticity of the position.
9 Tips to Protect Yourself from a Job Scam
Job scams have become increasingly prevalent in today’s digital age, and they can be difficult to spot. These scams come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common: they are designed to separate job seekers from their money or personal information. In this article, we’ll share nine tips that can help you protect yourself from job scams.
Do an online search
Before applying for any job, you should do an online search to verify that the company and job offer are legitimate. Use search engines like Google to research the company and its recruiter or employer. If you can’t find any information about the company or the job offer seems too good to be true, it may be a scam.
Talk to someone you trust
If you come across a job offer that seems suspicious, show it to someone you trust. They may be able to give you a second opinion on whether the offer is real or a scam.
Don’t pay for the promise of a job
If you are required to pay for a job, it’s a scam. Legitimate employers don’t require job seekers to pay for a job. Be wary of job offers that require you to purchase start-up equipment or pay a non-refundable registration fee.
Connect with the company
If you see a job offer on social media, don’t take it at face value. Contact the company directly to verify the job offer is legitimate. If the job opening is real, it should be on the company’s website.
Never agree to a wire transfer
Job scammers often ask for a wire transfer of funds. Wire transfers are a common tool for thieves because they move money quickly and are difficult to recover. Be wary of any job offer that asks you to wire money for any reason.
Reject job offers that require no experience
Jobs that pay a decent amount of money usually require a certain level of knowledge or experience in the field. If a job offer promises easy money for an easy job with no experience required, it’s likely a scam.
Don’t provide your bank details
Legitimate employers will never ask for your bank details before you start working for them. Be cautious of any employer who asks for this information upfront.
Don’t interact with employers who urge you to act fast
Job scammers often use a sense of urgency to get job seekers to act quickly. Be cautious of any employer who guarantees a super-fast hiring process. A normal hiring process takes at least 1-3 weeks, depending on the company’s procedure.
Don’t accept an offer when you didn’t apply
Sometimes scammers will contact you out of nowhere and say you’re hired for a job you didn’t apply for. Be cautious of any job offer that seems too good to be true or that you didn’t apply for.
Job scams are a serious threat to job seekers. However, with these nine tips, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a job scam. Remember to do your research, talk to someone you trust, and never provide your bank details or wire money to someone you don’t know. By taking these precautions, you can increase your chances of finding a legitimate job and avoid falling victim to a job scam.
