What is a Job Scam?
Job scams are fraud job offers scammers offer using different online platforms such as social media platforms, fake consultancy services, business listing companies, career development websites, and online job platforms. Sometimes they build fake online platforms and at others, they register on authentic platforms to convince their targets to reveal private information and conform to their demands.
Scammers use original websites, with genuine reviews, ratings, and career profiles but in reality, they are all frauds. Black hats use job scams to steal the personal and financial details of people. They manipulate individuals to transfer money into their accounts by promising them to secure a high-paying job in a reputed organization. Once they are successful in their mission of stealing money and information from you they disappear without fulfilling their promise.
What are Common Types of Job Scams?
Job scams are happening in all fields whether they are technical or professional. They are categorized according to the means and methods scammers use to carry out a scam. Based on this fact, here are some common examples of job scams that are widespread these days.
Fake Work-From-Home Job Scam
Work-from-home job scams are fake remote job offers with high-salary scammers’ promises without doing any hard work. However, they would ask for an application fee or training cost before hiring. But when you pay them the money they leave you without fulfilling their promise of securing a job. It is so because the job they offer doesn’t exist in reality and the scammer disappears after getting your money.
Whatsapp Job Scams
This is the latest fraud in which fraudsters contact you through WhatsApp. They offer you an easy job opportunity in a company in exchange for huge payments. But you have to pay an upfront amount to secure the job. They provide you with everything genuine such as job descriptions, your work positions, and the process of how you can get the job. But when you pay the money they cut the connection from you.
Duplicate Websites
Online swindlers create duplicate websites of the original recruitment websites having the same look and feel and the domain name with slight variation. When you visit the site you take it to be real because there is seldom anyone giving any thought to the fact there would be any fake site that is scamming people in the name of providing jobs.
Phishing Email Scams
In job phishing emails the scammers act as genuine recruiters offering remote jobs with high-paying incomes and minimal work processes. The email claims to recruit you without interviews, tests, and a complex recruitment process. All you need to do is to share your details like banking info, Social Security Number (SSN), address proofs, and other data.
To do so, you need to click the attached link and fill out all the information in the portals that appear before you. But when you click and provide all the details to proceed with the recruitment process cybercriminals grab all the information and vanish. You end up compromising your sensitive data which puts your financial and digital security at risk.
Social Media Job Scams
Social media platforms are one of the most dynamic platforms where cybercriminals are most active. Scammers advertise jobs on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and WhatsApp. They approach you with a high-salary job offer that requires no interviews or assessment process to enroll in the role. But before it, they ask you to provide personal details such as banking details, address, date of birth, qualifications, and other sensitive data. With this information, they can compromise your critical account and steal your hard-earned money.
Ponzi Schemes
In Ponzi schemes, scammers offer an easy job with minimal work that you can do from a distant location and earn a constant income daily. But before this, they ask you to make a small payment as a registration fee. They will convince you with a unique business idea where they invest your money and give you constant returns on your investments. But in reality, no such business exists.
Once you pay the money to become a member of their business they offer you a return for some time. But by and by they pressure you to add new members to the scheme. It is actually your own money and the money of those who you add to the scheme that they pay you back in parts. When you stop recruiting new members you stop getting returns and scammers stop communicating with you.
Fake Job Listings Agencies
Cybercriminals pose as a consultancy agency offering career counseling and lucrative job offers. They use real images, addresses, websites, company names, and all other details with accuracy. They post unique job roles with high salaries, work-from-home processes, and easy-to-handle work. A convincing job listing is also given with the job title, company name, job description, qualifications, and requirements.
Along with this, they give a website link to process the job application and apply for the job easily. When you click the link it opens a portal that asks you to fill out information like name, address, bank details, and login credentials. As soon as you fill out the information the black hats running all this system have it.
How to Identify Job Scams?
Job scammers use different methods to manipulate you and scam you. It is highly recommended that you never give away your personal and financial details to anyone contacting you through emails, messages, and social media. You need to take special care when some offers are too good to be true job opportunities that require no real effort and pay high salaries. It is highly essential to learn about how the job scams work. Here are some red flags that help you identify a job scam.
Unexpected Job Calls Without Applying
If you did not apply for any job anywhere and get unexpected calls from unknown numbers then you need to be cautious about this type of call. It can be from job scammers who contact you to get your details such as your Social Security number, bank info, or ID to defraud you. If they are pushing for it then it is certainly a scam.
Using Only Chat Apps to Communicate
Scammers use only chat apps to communicate with you to keep all things private and untraceable. They will use apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or other chat apps that remain end-to-end encrypted and do not let others see and trace their location. If you come across any of these situations then walk away.
Unprofessional Behavior of the Recruiter
When you call someone and they show eagerness to hire you without proper assessment and interviews then know that something is off. No one offers you a good job in a reputed company without proper interviews and screening. The unprofessional behavior of the recruiter to hire for the job is a red flag. When you notice the unprofessional behavior on the part of the recruiter it is highly recommended that you move away from it.
The Company Has Little Online Presence
A genuine company has an official website, google listings, and online business profiles that provide detailed information about the work of the company, owners, employees, location, and date of establishment. If you do not find any footprint about the company then there is something fishy about the company. You must avoid sharing any personal data with a company that has little or no online footprints.
Emails Come From Unofficial or Free Domains
Scammers use fake and unofficial emails with free domains in the job scams. They do not use any @gmail.com or @yahoo.com to contact you and start a recruitment process. You must dodge emails coming from unknown senders that offer high-paying salaries for effortless jobs. It is fraudsters who use fake and unofficial emails to contact you and commit fraud with you.
No Verifiable Office Address or Physical Location
A legitimate business uses a verifiable office address with a valid physical location.
However, scammers use vague and distant office locations that no one knows about and go there to confirm their physical presence. When you ask them about their office locations and address they avoid answering you or do not reveal their physical location. This is a strong sign that signifies that you are talking to scammers.
No Employees are Listed on LinkedIn
A real company always has LinkedIn profiles. The employees are also listed on the same social media platforms and have connections with other employees working in the same fields. But scammers do not have any official linked profiles nor are there any employee registrations. So when someone connects you and offers you a promising job then check their profiles on LinkedIn. If no one from the organization exists there, it’s likely a scam.
Asking for Payment in Advance
Scammers ask for payment in advance to secure a job for you. This is one of the strongest signs of a job scam. No real company asks you to pay for training, equipment, or application fees in advance as part of the recruitment process. Never comply with any demand of payment in advance to get a job in a reputed company. These are hollow promises that lure job seekers with unrealistic claims but eventually lead to dismay, financial loss, or even theft of identity.
Unusual, and Out of Stream Job Positions
Fraudsters offer vague and out-of-stream job positions with Work-from-home opportunities or remote assistant features. The job responsibilities are not clear and the work hours are extremely short. These qualities are strong signs of fraud. At the same time, real employers provide you with detailed specifications and roles. So, if you find any of these signs, walk away.
Unexpected Interview Invitations
Fraudster sends you interview invitations without you applying for any job. If you don’t remember applying for any job but are still getting emails from unknown senders, it is potentially a scam. You need to stay alert when you receive such interview emails from unknown senders.
Text Contains Poor Grammar and Typos
Scammers use rough and unrefined language in email texts and descriptions. These grammar and spelling mistakes must be strong signs that there is something fishy. Official companies use refined and professional language to correspond with people. Also, there are language experts who take special care of all the details and descriptions of the emails and messages before sending them. So, be careful of email texts that contain poor grammar and typos.
Avoiding Video or Phone Interviews
Scammers avoid doing video or face-to-face interviews to hide their real identities. They use chats and messages to communicate with you. If you get a job offer and the hiring process is done through chat or email only then the company is not what it claims to be. You must avoid such job emails and messages to do your work at all costs.
The Hiring Process Feels Easy or Quick
When you come across a job scam everything happens quickly and efficiently. The hiring process feels easy and there are no proper interviews or assessments to secure the job. It is highly recommended that you do not fall for these types of job offers. Eventually, they lead you to a variety of mishaps and job scams.
Asking You for Wire Transfers
If someone is asking you for a wire transfer or moving money on their behalf in order to get a job then beware of such people. These are fraudsters who are after your money. Do not comply with any of the demands for wire transfers. It will land you in trouble.
How to Protect Yourself From Job Scams?
Protecting against job scams can be very difficult for a novice. Scammers use realistic tools and technologies to convince their targets and manipulate them to take irrational actions. You have to stay alert and wide awake to deal with the potential threats. Here are some proven tips that protect you against job scams!
1. Research the Company Thoroughly
- Always check the company’s official website and make sure that it has a professional domain (not just a social media page).
- To check the authenticity of the website look for reviews on sites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Trustpilot.
- Search the complaints and reports about the scam type the company name + scam in Google to authenticate all the information.
2. Beware of Red Flags in Job Offers
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true salaries that are higher than the industry standards in a particular job.
- Don’t take any job offer for real if it does not involve any interview for candidate assessment.
- A fake job email has badly written job descriptions and does not mention any company info, a website, or an official email.
3. Never Pay Money for a Job
- Legitimate companies never ask for any advance payment to provide a job offer or process a job application.
- Check and verify all the information regarding the company and the processes involved in it.
- You can also look for the training material and certificates that prove the legitimacy of a company.
4. Protect Your Personal Information
Do not give away your personal information such as:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or National ID
- Bank details
- Personal address before verification
- Copies of your passport or driver’s license
5. Verify the Recruiter’s Identity
- You should always check the profile of the recruiter to make sure it is professional and matches what they are offering.
- You can call the company also using the official number and visit the official website.
- A legitimate recruiter always has profiles on social media apps such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Telegram. Visit these profiles and find all the truth.
6. Watch Out for Fake Work-From-Home Jobs
- Too-good-to-be-true job offers asking you to make some investment first.
- Be cautious of jobs asking you to repackage goods and send them forward from your home.
- Highly flexible work shifts are signs that warn you about the impending danger.
7. Avoid Suspicious Online Job Platforms
- You must avoid third-party platforms and uncertified job sites. Instead, you should employ only trusted job sites that include LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and well-known recruitment agencies.
- Do not trust social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or other random messaging apps.
8. Trust Your Instincts
- Last but not least, you should trust your instincts. If something feels off then pause and verify all the details.
- Ask as many questions as possible and look for the loose ends. A real employer never hesitates to answer your queries.
- If you see any contradictions or inconsistencies in the job interviews then do not reveal any information. Also, report the incident to the concerned authorities and scam investigation agencies.
