Job scams are on the rise and with the tight job market we are seeing more of these occurrences. From messaging you on your cell phone to reaching out to you on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and more, fraudsters are getting increasingly sophisticated, seeming more legitimate and craftier than they were in the past. Some scams are even posted on the internet and in paid advertisements to look even more legitimate.
My first personal encounter with a job scam goes back to 2007, when I was fresh out of my first college program, and I received a job offer without even getting an interview. Then they were asking for my bank account information so they could transfer me advance funds. I didn’t think it sounded right, so I called an employment agency to ask them about it, and they said that at the time, it was a new thing called a phishing scam. Ever since then, I have been diligent about where I send my resume and educate others on how to spot a job scam.
Here are a few ways to spot job scams online, how to protect yourself, and what to do about it.
Scammers will use tactics such as fake job postings on job boards, social media, or will even contact you with unsolicited job offers, and requests for personal or financial information. This is not to say that a recruiter who contacts you out of the blue is a scam, but typically, if you get a text message, WhatsApp message, or a job offer without an interview, it is a scam. Never give out your personal information, and only put your phone number and email address on your resume. If you want, you can add your city and province.
Some red flags to watch for include poor grammar in communications, requests for upfront payments or banking details, and offers that seem too good to be true. If they are offering hundreds of dollars a day for an entry-level job, that could be a red flag too.
Tips for protecting yourself:
- Research the company, go directly to the company webpage, or even call the organization to see if they have posted that job.
- Verify job offers, look for poor grammar, and make sure you have met with the person offering the job in person at some point in a legitimate workplace.
- Never share sensitive information with unverified sources.
- Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local law enforcement.
Job scams are out there to take your personal information – this includes identity theft, loss of finances, and potentially having your personal information out there on the web.
Jennifer Bouley is a Career Development Practitioner located in St Stephen. She has a passion for helping others find wellness in their careers, while finding fulfilling jobs. Jennifer can be reached at blissplusyou@gmail.com.
