Impersonation Scams Rise in Online Job Market: Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Smithville, Suwannee County – Jane Sheppard, your trusted local news reporter here, bringing you an important update on the growing trend of job scammers posing as recruiters. With the rise of online job platforms, these fraudsters have found a new way to exploit job seekers.

According to Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, job scams have seen a significant increase in the past year. Scammers impersonate legitimate companies and recruiters, deceiving job seekers into handing over money or personal information.

Tehseen Islam, a 28-year-old quality assurance analyst, fell victim to such a scam. She thought she had landed a job with a reputable marketing technology company. After going through an online interview process, she received a check, which she was asked to deposit and then transfer $1,000 back to the company for equipment shipment. Only when her bank closed her accounts for suspected scam involvement, did she realize she was duped.

Understanding Job Scams

Job scams are a form of impersonation scam. Scammers often use an employee’s name from a large company and create job postings that seem too good to be true. High salaries for low-skilled work and 100% remote positions are red flags. Scammers also tend to directly reach out to job seekers, asking them to fill out detailed forms that require personal information. A legitimate employer will only ask for your skills, work experience, and contact information in the initial stages.

Identifying Scams: Tips and Tricks

Here are a few recommendations on how to spot scams:

• Take your time to respond to any message.
• Research if the company has current job openings on its official website.
• Check the legitimacy of the recruiter through their social media presence.
• If the company has a job opening on its website, apply directly there.

Avoid Clicking on Links and Depositing Checks

If you receive a message from a recruiter, do not respond or click on any links unless you are certain of their credibility. A common scamming tactic is to send fake signing bonuses and ask for a portion back, supposedly covering expenses.

Choose Your Job Openings Wisely

While job hunting platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed are reputable, not every job posting can be verified, allowing scammers to slip through. Be cautious about the job openings and recruiters you trust.

Report the Scam

If you or a family member falls victim to a scam, report it on the FTC’s website.

Stay vigilant, Suwannee County, and remember to thoroughly verify any job offers or recruiters before sharing your information. This is Jane Sheppard, signing off.

Note: The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.