Photo by Teona Swift
NEW YORK (AP) — The rise of job scams has become a pressing concern for job seekers, particularly as many rely on online platforms to find employment. According to Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, “We’ve really seen tremendous growth in job scams,” attributing this surge to shifts in recruitment practices amid economic challenges. Velasquez noted that scammers are increasingly impersonating legitimate companies and recruiters to extract personal information or money from unsuspecting individuals.
Tehseen Islam, a 28-year-old quality analyst, shared her harrowing experience with a job scam. After months of searching, she believed she had secured a position with a reputable marketing technology firm. Following a series of interviews, she received what appeared to be a legitimate job offer along with a check. The scammer instructed her to deposit the check and transfer $1,000 for shipping costs. “I’m a little traumatized,” Islam stated, having lost the money and unknowingly shared sensitive personal data with fraudsters.
Experts warn job seekers to be vigilant against various tactics employed by scammers. A common method involves offering fake signing bonuses and subsequently requesting money back under false pretenses. Alvaro Puig, a consumer education specialist at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), cautioned that depositing such checks can lead to significant financial loss when the bank identifies them as fraudulent.
To protect themselves, job seekers are advised to conduct thorough research on potential employers and be wary of unsolicited communications from recruiters.
For those who encounter scams, reporting them is crucial. The FTC collects scam reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and local authorities can also assist in recovering lost funds.
As job scams continue to proliferate, experts stress that awareness and caution are paramount for anyone navigating the challenging employment landscape.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-avoid-job-scams
[2] https://apnews.com/article/job-scams-safety-wellness-personal-finance-d5613d3264485b6f606dababdaf6c45b
[3] https://theweek.com/personal-finance/job-scams-how-to-spot
[4] https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
[5] https://www.quest.co.za/protecting-yourself-from-job-scams-in-south-africa/
[6] https://www.newsday.com/business/job-scams-safety-wellness-personal-finance-o56102
[7] https://www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/financial-planning/avoiding-job-scams-and-finding-a-job-you-love-f6701ada-e108-4de4-b232-6d7b9c513112
[8] https://www.oldmutual.co.za/personal/digital-solutions/safety-and-security/recruitment-scam-alert/
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