Navigating Fake Job Scams

If you are looking for a job or a side hustle, you need to be careful of the many scams that are out there. Scammers use various tactics to trick people into giving them money, personal information, or even doing illegal tasks for them. Here are some of the most common types of scams and how to avoid them:?

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- Fake job advert scams: These are ads that look like legitimate job offers, but they are actually designed to collect your resume, identity documents, or bank details. Sometimes they may ask you to pay a fee for training, background check, or equipment. To avoid these scams, always research the company and the job before applying. Look for signs of legitimacy, such as a website, contact details, and reviews. Never pay any money upfront or share sensitive information without verifying the employer.?

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- Advance money scams: These are scams where you are offered a job that requires you to send money to someone else, usually through a wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. The scammers may claim that you are doing a test, a trial, or a favor for them. They may promise to reimburse you later or give you a commission. However, once you send the money, you will never hear from them again. To avoid these scams, never send money to anyone you don't know or trust. If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.?

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- Mission scams: These are scams where you are hired to do a task that is actually illegal or unethical. For example, you may be asked to receive and forward packages, cash checks, or write fake reviews. The scammers may tell you that you are helping a charity, a business, or a friend. However, you may end up being involved in fraud, money laundering, or identity theft. To avoid these scams, always ask questions and do your own research before accepting any task. If something feels wrong, don't do it.?

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- Side hustle scams: These are scams that target people who are looking for extra income through online platforms, such as surveys, freelancing, or selling products. The scammers may ask you to pay a fee to access the platform, to buy products or materials, or to upgrade your account. They may also ask you to recruit others or complete tasks that are not related to the platform. To avoid these scams, always read the terms and conditions of any platform you join. Look for reviews and ratings from other users. Don't pay any money upfront or give out your personal information without verifying the platform.?

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How Can I Protect Myself ?

Given people may be actually looking for jobs or wanting to dabble in side hustles, it may be hard to avoid such scams. Below are a few things to consider, which may help you stay safe when interacting with those you are unsure of.??

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WhatsApp or Texts?

Although recruiters can be pushy, and we are forever getting flooded with blanket, misspelled LinkedIn messages, they are less likely to contact you via text or WhatsApp. It’s recommended that you ignore or delete, however, there are those that will be curious.??

Before you accept the message, Google the number?

Results:

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If these types of results turn up, or have nothing to do with a recruitment company – IGNORE/DELETE.??

If you just have to find out, then validate “how” they have your number. Keep pressing, until it makes sense. Don’t accept the first answer, and certainly do not share information with them until you are 100% confident.??

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Don’t Share Too Much?

Your CV is a valuable document that showcases your skills and qualifications to potential employers. However, it also contains personal information that could be used by scammers to steal your identity or money.??

Do not include sensitive information on your CV, such as your date of birth, national insurance number, bank account details, passwords or PINs. These are not relevant for most jobs and could be used to access your accounts or commit identity theft.?

Although you may read the password and PIN comment with confusion, it has been seen when sharing or linking to further access to validate credentials. If you need this, treat it as step two, and not include it in the original cover letter or CV.??

It’s also worth choosing a mention of contact. Although it used to be recommended to share both your email and phone number, in most cases only one is required. Pick one that you feel comfortable with. For me, I am constantly spammed with calls, so I chose email.??

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Scammers Use Legitimate Sites??

Just because it’s LinkedIn, or UpWork, doesn’t mean you should trust by default. It is very easy to create an account on all social media, or job sites to advertise, so don’t presume all are safe. I had done a previous post here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/keeping-safe-linkedin-ashley-moran/

In many cases, the initial engagement will be direct messaging via the site, and may ask for you to provide further details, or to click on attachments. The rule of thumb should be:??

• If it’s too good to be true – high money, low effort, it’s probably a scam.??
• If they came to you, yet need to provide sensitive information to “process”, you should tread carefully.??
• If they use LinkedIn, you should be able to verify the account. Recruiters live on these sites, so is there a lot of activity on their profile, do they interact with others, are there links to the company they work for, does it look fabricated??

The last one is hard to tell, given the lengths some scammers will go to, however there are always signs. This is because they are not an actual functioning company, so therefore will not have the normal interactions that many have. Google them and see:??

• Any Glassdoor reviews???
• Are they on Company house (UK)???
• When were they established???
• Have you ever heard of them???
• Any Christmas party posts, or social event/adverts ???
• Has anyone asked, or posted about products or solutions they offer???

Keep digging, until you feel comfortable that they are legit. Remember, a lack of evidence does not prove legitimacy.??

For those offering services on Fiverr, these types of messages are very common, and often get past the security of the platform. It's not always as obvious as this, but this should ring "alarm bells" when they ask you to interact outside of the platform. This would go the same for UpWork and other sites. It's recommended not to leave the platform for communication, even with the promise of more money. Sure the tax, and admin fees take a percentage, but there is a level of security there (For both parties).

?Remember, scammers dangle "too good to be true" situations to us, knowing that money is low for most, and desperation is high. It's worth taking a few seconds to research, and review these types of offers, as falling for them will be more costly, than ignoring them.

Stay safe!

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