Scammers impersonate recruiters or hiring managers to solicit personal information or money from job seekers. They create fake job postings or send unsolicited messages, often preying on individuals actively searching for employment. The goal is to trick victims into sharing sensitive data like bank details or social security numbers, or to pay upfront fees for non-existent jobs.
Who Is Targeted
Individuals actively seeking employment, especially those who are vulnerable or in urgent need of a job. This includes recent graduates, those recently laid off, or anyone actively browsing job boards and professional networking sites.
Red Flags — Warning Signs
Sender's email domain is not from a legitimate company (e.g., using Gmail, Hotmail, or has misspellings).
Inconsistent sender name and email address.
Requests for personal information like bank details or social security numbers early in the process.
Job offers that seem too good to be true or require upfront payment for training or equipment.
Poor grammar and spelling in communications.
How to Protect Yourself
Always verify the sender's identity by checking their email domain and LinkedIn profile
Be wary of unsolicited job offers and never share sensitive personal or financial information via email or unsecured platforms
Research the company and the recruiter independently before proceeding with any job application or interview process
Phrases Scammers Use
“We have a great opportunity for you”“Can you send your resume to proceed”“We need your bank details for direct deposit”