With the rise in job seekers looking for remote job opportunities, the chances for job seeker scams have increased. Scammers are taking advantage of the vulnerability of job seekers and presenting them with options that are too good to be true. Below are some common red flags to look for when presented with a new job opportunity:
- Requesting personal information such as bank account information, credit card information or social security number. While this can be needed with the onboarding process, such as to setup direct deposit, it should not be a part of the initial interview.
- A rush to do an online interview. The recruiter or HR personnel should be the ones to setup interviews, and this should be done with advance notice.
- The employer should NOT be asking for any type of advance payment as a stipulation for the job. In addition, a company asking you for payment to find you a job is a red flag. If the company offers to send you a check with the expectation that you will send some of the funds back as a reimbursement, the check could be fraud and you would be liable for any losses.
- If you are asked to open any links or attachments, they could be malware. It is best to delete any attachment if you are uncomfortable or unsure about it.
How can you protect yourself:
- Research the company, recruiter and hiring manager to ensure they are legitimate.
- If you are having an online interview, call the company, with a number you have researched, to confirm the interviewer is an employee of the company.
- If you are asked to do an online interview and you did not apply for that job, do not take the interview.
- If you are asked via phone or virtual interview to provide personal or financial information, do not continue with the communication.
- Lastly, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
You can report any type of scam to the 2 below agencies, Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission.
https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
Federal Trade Commission Scam Report Tracking