Did you see a job ad on the internet and thought that it’s too good to be true? Well, chances are, it is. While the Internet and online job boards have revolutionised the job-hunting process for millions of job seekers and employers, these developments also brought with them an increase of employment scams.
Job scams are rampant all over the internet and anyone can be tricked into one. The last thing a job seeker wants is to get embroiled in a job scam. As employment scams are becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, here’s how to spot the red flags.
Do your research
Before applying for a position, conduct thorough research on the company to establish its existence and verify identifying details. Google the company, the employer, or the recruiter, and see what pops up. For example, if you get emailed a job offer from a random name claiming they’re a recruiter, search up their name online (or on LinkedIn) to see if their claim stands.
Don’t pay for the promise of a job
If you are required to pay for a job, it’s guaranteed to be a scam. In normal circumstances, you can’t just pay for a job – you have to deserve it. So, if you get an offer saying you can just pay for a position, you can rest assured it’s a scam.
Look for complaints
Job sites often have review sections where employees and candidates share the experiences they had with an employer. Search for a potential employer on these sites and see what others have said. Their remarks can reveal whether the employer is legitimate and thus guide your decision to move forward.
Do not provide your bank account information until you’ve been hired
Scammers may ask for money or bank account information during the interview. A legitimate employer won’t ask for your banking details until you’ve signed a contract and are setting up direct deposit, and even then they’ll ask to verify only the bank name, account number, and routing number or SWIFT code – but never your online banking username and password.
Carefully examine the email details of unsolicited job offers
Emails that claim to be from a legitimate company (Initiate International) but then have a return email address with a general (free) email site (such as InitiateInternational@gmx.com) and not the company address (such as carrie@initiateinternational.com) are not to be trusted. Also carefully examine links in emails to guarantee they are linking to a legitimate Website (initiateinternational.com) rather than some fake site (https://scamsite.initiateinternational.com/ or https://55.342.45.192/initiateinternational/).
Request more details from prospective employers
Vague promises can be very persuasive, but the truth lies in the details – so request detailed information about the services they provide or the job they are hiring for. Request and review contracts carefully. Consult with a lawyer when you have serious concerns or questions.
The most popular types of job scams include work-from-home scams, emailed job offers, fake jobs on social media, government and postal service employment scams, job scams on verified job sites, job placement service scams, and fake employment/recruitment websites.
To protect yourself from a job scam, make sure to do research on the company, talk to someone you trust, reject any offer that asks for your money and sensitive information, or promises you great pay for only a little professional experience.
If you’re looking for an exciting new career opportunity, make sure you click through to our job section.
