How to Recognize Job Scammer Strategies

The Better Business Bureau reports a rise in employment scams due to increasing activity in the job market. With over 7 million open jobs in the United States, scammers are taking advantage. Unfortunately, we have seen scams becoming an issue for candidates during their job search. Employment scams take many forms and it’s important to recognize the signs and to be aware of the strategies used by scammers. Below we have listed some of those strategies so that you can carry out your job search armed with the information necessary to avoid a scam.

Posing as Real Companies

Spotting an employment scam may not be as easy as it seems—especially when the scammers are posing as real companies. You may come across a job posting that appears to be from a company you recognize as a completely legitimate business. However, scammers will sometimes take advantage of a company’s good reputation to lure in potential victims. With this in mind, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs that the job may not have been posting by the real company. E-mails from company recruiters should come from verified company e-mail addresses. If you receive communications regarding your application from a yahoo or gmail account, it should raise a red flag. Remember to stay vigilant and protect your personal information from potential impostors.

Posing as Fake Companies

Scammers sometimes use fake businesses to front fake jobs. It’s important to do your research and verify that the company you are applying for is real. A legitimate company will have a solid online presence with a professional looking, easily navigated website. The website should have a career page and should also clearly communicate the company’s mission statement. Lack of a website or company profile is a warning that the business may not be reputable. If you have any doubts, check the company reviews on Google and Glassdoor. Low ratings can indicate a scam, and pay close attention to what people say in the reviews. The Better Business Bureau keeps track of complaints that have been filed against a company so it may be a worthwhile resource if you have suspicions regarding the legitimacy of an employer.

Asking for Personal Information or Money

A job application should never ask for personal information such as your social security number, birth date, financial history, or bank account numbers. Scammers sometimes ask this outright on the application, or later after they contact you claiming to be interested in your qualifications for the job. This is a strategy used to attract victims for identity theft. Always keep this information confidential until you meet an employer in person for on-boarding, after an offer is made. A legitimate business will not ask you for money, either. Some scammers will ask for money in order to pay for software for training purposes, or other supplies such as a company laptop or uniform. Some might try to charge an “application fee” or ask you to cover the expense of a background or credit check. It’s important to be wary of these scam strategies in order to avoid putting your personal information and identity at risk.

Creating Fake Job Postings

Being able to differentiate between real and fake job postings is an important skill when it comes to job searching. Identifying suspicious jobs can help you to avoid applying in the first place. Beware of jobs that have been posted multiple times, or job postings that have been up for months at a time. Another red flag is when a job posting seems overly focused on selling the job to you, rather than the qualifications and experience necessary for the role. Many of the rules for avoiding high-turnover jobs can also help you avoid fake job postings. Scammers might try to distract from the illegitimacy of the job by using buzzwords and dramatic language. Look out for jobs that promise unrealistic benefits. Spelling and grammar mistakes can also be giveaways when it comes to evaluating the legitimacy of a job posting.

With an abundance of activity on job boards, scammers are using the opportunity to try to source victims. Sometimes a scam will be obvious, and other times the job will seem perfectly legitimate at first. Be sure to do the research necessary to verify a company’s credibility and keep your personal information out of reach from scammers who pose to be legitimate employers. As long as you approach your job search informed of scam strategies, you will be able to avoid scams and apply to the real jobs that are out there waiting for you.

Bradley Staffing Group is a full-service staffing firm based in Wayne, PA. We are committed to matching A-level talent with best-in-class businesses. Our knowledgeable and well-trained staff brings a combined 70+ years of staffing experience to our clients and candidates alike. http://useful-sock.flywheelsites.com/contact-us/