Ways to Safeguard Against the Surge in Job Scams

In the digital age, navigating the job market has become akin to traversing a minefield—complex, demanding, and fraught with risks. Each click on a job advertisement holds the potential to lead to exciting opportunities or, conversely, to ensnare job seekers in meticulously orchestrated cyber traps. Scammers are constantly honing their tactics and extending their influence.

Of particular concern is the proliferation of job scams, also referred to as employment or recruitment scams. These scams ranked among the top ten categories of scams in 2023, witnessing a staggering 150 percent surge in financial losses compared to the previous year.

What is a Job Scam?

Job scams typically entice individuals by offering fictitious positions that promise substantial financial rewards or “guaranteed” incomes, often presenting them as effortless opportunities or even as coveted positions within reputable companies they impersonate. Regardless of the specifics, the ultimate objective remains consistent: to extort money and/or personal information from the victim.

These deceptive practices may manifest in various forms, yet there are common indicators to watch for:

1. Scammers utilize social media platforms, unsolicited emails, encrypted messaging applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), phone calls, or even legitimate job portals to advertise non-existent job vacancies.
2. Job scammers might also impersonate recruiters from legitimate organizations, assuming the identities of high-ranking executives or even hiring managers who purportedly conduct interviews for positions that have no actual existence.
3. Job scammers also offer a substantial commission to individuals if they utilize their personal bank accounts to transfer existing funds into offshore accounts, cryptocurrency exchanges, or gift cards. This activity often constitutes money laundering.

Depending on the nature of the job scam, scammers pretending to be employers might get important information from you, like your passport number or driver’s license. This can make it easy for them to steal your identity.

Who is at risk and why?

Scammers pick their targets based on how people act online, their money situation, their needs, and how easily they can be convinced. The cost of living going up makes it easier for job scams to happen. People who really need a job, those who haven’t had a job for a long time, and those looking for part-time work (often online) are more likely to fall for these scams.

These folks are desperate for money, so they might not see the warning signs. Even university students and recent grads, who want job experience in tough job markets, can get tricked by job scams. Immigrants are also at risk because they might not know much about how real jobs work, standard hiring practices, or the rights they have at work. In some terrible cases, job scams can lead to human trafficking across countries.

Ways to Avoid Job Scam

Apart from being cautious and thinking before acting, here are some more tips to protect yourself from job scams:

• Stick to real job websites and social networks. For example, LinkedIn checks recruiters and gives them a badge on their profiles.
• Think carefully and check job ads for detailed info and qualifications needed. Ask trusted people to make sure the job is real.
• Ignore emails, texts, or messages offering amazing jobs out of nowhere.
• Check carefully by researching the job offer. Look at the company’s real website, read honest reviews, and call, or visit them.
• Don’t give out important info like your passport number, driver’s license, or bank details when applying for a job.
• Don’t pay for things like training or equipment before you start a job.
• Don’t agree to use your bank account to send or receive money for someone else.
• Be watchful. If you see a job scam, report it on the Scamwatch website.