Phishing scams are on the rise, and job seekers are prime targets for being scammed. Beware of social posts or emails that encourage you to apply for a fake job, or even extend a fraudulent job offer. Simply enter your information and they’ll reach out to discuss your hiring needs.
Unfortunately, this is a real problem due to the hiring process itself. Recruiters and employers do require personal and financial details such as date of birth, driver’s license number, home address, Social Security Number and financials. The job offer often uses actual employer postings to lure in unwitting candidates.
DON’T BE FOOLISH
Don’t get fooled, only work with a legal recruiter who has testimonials and who has a reputation for being respected in the industry. Take precautions to ensure you are well protected from being scammed:
- Do your due diligence online before working with a recruiter.
- Research the company and recruiter who’s representing you. Check out their testimonials and cross check their profiles on LinkedIn to be sure they are legit.
- Don’t pay for the promise of a job. Legitimate employers, including the federal government, will never ask you to pay to get a job. Anyone who does is a scammer.
- Be cautious when asked to submit sensitive information during the application process to protect your personal and financial information.
- Play it safe, avoid using open public WiFi networks such as coffee shops or other public places to fill out job applications. And think twice before applying for a job through non-secure websites that don’t use proper encryption.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED
Anyone who finds themselves being swindled should immediately report the incident to the social media site, the firm that they are presenting to represent for the position and the government.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) aggregates this type of data to track down these scammers. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the scam ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
About On Balance Search Consultants
On Balance offers great insight and industry intelligence. Shari Davidson, president of On Balance Search Consultants, advises law firms on how to take a firm to the next level and helps rising talent make the transition to the right law firm.
Contact us today. Call 516.731.3400 or visit our website at https://www.onbalancesearch.com
Please note that the content of this blog does not constitute legal advice and is only intended for the educational purpose of the reader. Please consult your legal counsel for specifics regarding your specific circumstances and the laws in your states pertaining to social media and any legal restrictions regarding the law.
