The increasing economic downturn has left job seekers vulnerable to scams, as scammers take advantage of the situation and ramp up their tactics. Job scamming poses a significant threat to job seekers worldwide, with reports of an increase in job scam complaints in the United States, Canada, and Singapore in recent years. Additionally, in the UK, foreign spies and malicious actors targeted over 10,000 individuals on LinkedIn and Facebook to steal sensitive information.
According to a report by Trellix in February 2023, phishing attacks and malware are the primary methods employed by scammers. They often create fake websites, utilizing techniques like typosquatting, where a slightly misspelled version of a legitimate website name is used to deceive job seekers. These fake sites appear genuine and are used to steal passwords and financial information. Another method involves tricking job seekers into downloading files or clicking on links that contain malware, such as the Trojans Emotet, Cryxos, and Agent Tesla.
Gabriel Friedlander, the founder of security training site Wizer, warns that scammers use enticing job opportunities with attractive pay and remote work flexibility as bait to steal sensitive information. They may ask for Social Security numbers or send fake checks for equipment purchases to acquire bank information from unsuspecting victims.
Job scams do not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, or age, as anyone seeking employment quickly to prevent income gaps can fall victim to them. Roger Grimes, KnowBe4’s data-driven defense evangelist, explains that people become emotionally invested in finding the right job, making them susceptible to scams. Even individuals trained to detect scammers can be ensnared by their schemes due to the inherent human desire to trust others.
To protect oneself from job scams, it is crucial to be skeptical of any company that asks for money to purchase equipment, training, or background checks. Legitimate job providers do not require such payments. Additionally, job seekers should be cautious of situations where things progress too quickly, as most jobs are not secured after just one remote interview. It is also advisable to exercise caution when engaging with companies that attempt to move conversations outside of established platforms like LinkedIn.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers guidelines to avoid falling victim to job scams, including verifying the legitimacy of a company by contacting them directly or visiting their official website. It is essential to refrain from clicking on any suspicious links, downloading files, responding to emails, or calling numbers provided by unknown sources.
LinkedIn, recognizing the risk posed by scammers, is implementing new measures to ensure the authenticity of users. However, one verification tool they employ requires government identification, which may be problematic for transgender or nonbinary individuals who have changed their names but cannot update their official documents accordingly.
Researchers have found that job seekers who have been scammed are less likely to continue pursuing employment opportunities, often blaming themselves for their inability to detect scams. The psychological impact on victims can be severe, leaving them feeling broken and betrayed. Despite this, job seekers are encouraged to stay vigilant and use their experience as a motivation to continue their job search. Awareness of common scam tactics is crucial in preventing future victimization.
In conclusion, the economic downturn has created an environment conducive to job scams, with scammers employing various tactics to exploit vulnerable job seekers. Awareness, skepticism, and caution are vital in staying safe from these scams. By remaining vigilant and informed, job seekers can protect themselves and continue their pursuit for legitimate employment opportunities.