Distinguishing legitimate from fake job postings can be challenging, including for journalists, and could lead to the loss of valuable time, money and personal information to scammers.
In 2023, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, job scams increased by 118% over the previous year. "Ghost jobs" also presented a significant challenge for job seekers: 81% of recruiters admitted that their companies have posted jobs that either do not exist or are already filled.
To safeguard your personal information, money and time during the job search, here are nine signs of fake job postings along with tips to avoid falling victim:
Fake company profiles, links and attachments
Scammers often create fake company websites, email addresses, phone numbers and social media profiles to appear legitimate. They may also send malicious links or files to steal your personal information or install malware on your device.
"If someone sends you a link, copy and paste it into a separate tab to inspect it. Secure websites begin with ‘https.’ Be cautious of subtle variations in web addresses meant to trick you, like ‘microsoft.fakewebsite.com’ instead of the legitimate ‘microsoft.com,’" said Davis Anderson, senior digital security trainer at Freedom of the Press Foundation. “Take care to review websites you find using a search engine. If the website is poorly designed or its content is outdated, that is a red flag.”
If you must open files, such as job application forms, from an unknown sender, see if you can view them first without downloading, Anderson said. Google, for instance, will allow you to preview an attachment in a new tab before you download it to your computer. Alternatively, you can transfer files to a USB flash drive and then open them on another device that is not connected to the internet. This will prevent any malicious links from “phoning home” and alerting hackers that you have opened a document, thereby protecting the devices on your network.
Keep your operating systems, such as macOS or Windows, up-to-date. This will ensure that your computer identifies known viruses and stops them in their tracks. For additional protection, use antivirus software.
The advertised position is a ‘ghost job’
Journalists may come across job postings for non-existent positions, which have been posted by real companies. This could be because companies failed to remove the listings after hiring people for the advertised positions, the jobs were posted to build a talent pool for roles not currently available or for other reasons. If you apply for these "ghost jobs," you may never receive feedback.
"When you find a job posting you are interested in, check if it is listed on the company’s official website. Verify the posting date and whether it has an application deadline. If the post is more than a month old, it may be time to move on," Anderson said. "You can contact someone in the company through their website or social media to inquire if they’re still hiring, or, better yet, ask a professional connection to introduce you to a hiring manager."
Spelling or grammatical errors
Scammers often purposely include spelling or grammatical errors in correspondence to evade filters that block phishing attacks. These errors may also result from awkward translations from a foreign language or they could be attempts to identify individuals likely to fall for a scam.
Companies strive for professionalism, so obvious errors in job descriptions, emails or other correspondence should not be overlooked. Pay attention to other unprofessional behaviors, such as overly casual language.
A company that has no intention of hiring requests free work samples
A recruiter may request work samples to evaluate your skills. Verify the legitimacy of these requests before creating any new work samples. Some recruiters who have no intention of hiring simply may be trying to obtain free work.
“A great first line of defense is to provide existing work samples, especially those published in high-profile outlets, to showcase your work without creating something from scratch,” said Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at MyPerfectResume. “If custom samples are requested, it is best to stay brief and not focus too much on the new material. Many reputable companies will specify what they want to see and how much time they prefer candidates to spend on creating new materials.”
A company requests confidential information early in the hiring process
Scammers may create fake job postings to collect personal details from job seekers. These details can then be used for identity theft and other scams.
Pay attention to the timing and type of information requested. "In the U.S., for example, employers require job applicants to submit their contact details. Once hired, employees are asked to provide proof of identification, an I-9 form, a signed Form W-4 and direct deposit information, such as routing and account numbers. Legitimate employers will never ask for sensitive information like usernames and passwords,” Anderson said.
Always verify an organization’s legitimacy before sharing sensitive details. Scammers have been known to go to great lengths to appear legitimate, including staging fake hiring committees.
Requests for money or fraudulent transfers
Treat requests to pay for work-related expenses, like equipment, or to transfer money through your account for a fee, with skepticism. Legitimate employers will never ask for money from applicants.
For instance, in a scam, if you receive a check in order to make purchases and then wire back the balance, the check could eventually bounce and you would be on the hook to repay its full amount.
Requests for money may not be obvious. Scammers might pay you small amounts for tasks you complete to gain your trust before asking for money to access the next set of tasks. Also, be cautious if someone contacts you requesting to use your bank account to transfer money, as it could be part of a money laundering scheme.
The listing is on a fake job board
While some legitimate job boards charge fees, scammers can create fake job boards to steal your money and personal information. To protect yourself, always verify a job board’s legitimacy.
“Legitimate job boards provide clear position descriptions, company details and contact information,” said Escalera. “Sites that seem overly spammy with excessive pop-ups can be a warning sign that the job board is not of high quality. Also, job boards that include vague listings or do not include essential information about the role or company should be avoided.”
Unsolicited job offers
Scammers may contact you with job offers for positions you never applied for. While these offers might seem enticing, you need to be cautious.
“A reputable recruiter will be ready to discuss details about the desired candidate's position, expectations and qualifications,” Escalera said. “They will also be able to answer the candidate's questions and provide details on the company. If the offer feels vague or overly secretive, it could be a major red flag.”
The offer sounds too good to be true
After a brief interview, a recruiter might offer you a job with perks like flexible schedules and a salary significantly higher than industry standards. They may also use excessive flattery and claim that the offer expires soon to pressure you into accepting the job without careful consideration.
To verify the job posting's legitimacy, check if it is listed on the company’s official website, contact the company and search for reports of scams involving the company. Speaking to current or former employees can also be very helpful in addressing questions, although it is best to keep specific details of the offer private during the hiring process. If something seems off, do not ignore it.
Identifying fake job postings helps you focus on legitimate opportunities. To protect other job seekers, report fraudulent job postings to companies being impersonated and platforms on which they are listed. You can also report job scams to organizations that handle cyber fraud, such as the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.
إقرأوا المزيد من المقالات لـ
