[Career Coach 101] Scam Alert: Beware of fake job offers!

scam alert beware of fake job offers

The job search is complicated by design. For most job seekers it is a confusing mix of technical and interpersonal factors as well as luck. And if that was not enough, there are also many scammers preying on job seekers.  Scam alert: beware of fake job offers! There are many fake job ads to make you think there is a job available for you. Then they end up being scams to get your money or ads for things you don’t really need. The job search can be a very frustrating experience as these are things that are pretty much out of your control.

NBC News recently reported on the newest scam targeting millenials. In this scam college students are targeted with job offers. One case involved a student who was sent a false $3400 check for bank deposit for a phony job offer. The student was asked to send $3000 by wire transfer and keep $400. The check was just an illusion that the scammer relied on to get the student’s money. The net loss for the student: $3000. Not to mention the humiliation and frustration.

This type of scam is not new or exclusively focused on millenials. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that this type of scam is up by 65% since 2015.  Forbes.com has also been reporting on this trend with information on how to identify and avoid scams.

More From Forbes!

Five Signs Of A Fake Job Ad

Ten Signs You Are Interviewing For A Fake Job Opportunity

FTC: What To Look For!

And even the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been warning about this. Some of the warning signs are:

  • You need to pay to get the job.
  • You need to supply your credit card or bank account information.
  • The ad is for “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs.
FORBES: What to Look for!

Forbes.com has also identified  some of the signs that a job is fake:

  • Someone is reaching out regarding a position you never applied to.
  • The listing and accompanying job description contain poor grammar, punctuation and spelling.
  • The job description lists that you don’t need any experience.
  • You are asked to provide personal information upfront.
  • The job requires you to make a payment before starting.
FORBES: What To Do!

Forbes.com also has recommendations to identify and avoid this type of scam:

  • Do Your Due Diligence
  • Don’t randomly post your resume on all of the job boards that you can find online.
  • If you are suspicious that a job listing might not be legitimate, research the company before applying.
Better Business Bureau (BBB): What To Do!

Check out the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can find many tips and ideas on how to recognize a fake job scam. This can also be a great source of information on what to do in those cases.

Consumer Affairs: What To Do!

You can also go to Consumer Affairs for ideas on how to identify potential problems. Searching for the company online is only the first step in protecting yourself.

So pay attention to this scam alert: beware of fake job offers. Above all, use common sense: if it looks too good to be true it probably is!

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