Looking for work online can be a great way to find freelance, contract, full-time, or part-time jobs. But unfortunately, scammers lurk in the shadows of job boards. Scammers take advantage by luring you to use third-party apps (Telegraph, Skype, WhatsApp) to have an “interview” via chat. Don’t fall into the trap! No legitimate business will interview you via a chat function. Trust me; I’ve been blessed to receive messages from companies to interview via a third-party website chat function.
How do you protect yourself from these scammers?
Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- Do your due diligence before accepting any job offer. Research the company, check reviews online and ensure they aren’t asking you for personal information before interviewing or signing any contracts.
- When two companies rushed the interview, refused my video calls, and still sent me a contract that looked like a rushed copy-and-paste job, I knew something was fishy. I searched for the company’s name via Google, and it bought me to the CEO & President’s LinkedIn page, where the first post was about his company being targeted by scammers.
- If a job posting seems too good to be true—it probably is! Be wary of any postings that promise high pay with minimal effort or skills required.
- I understand the concept of “knowing your worth,” but also do your due diligence in researching salary for the positions you apply for. You want to be competitive but also protect yourself from these scammers offering promises of great pay.
- Never give out your personal information, such as bank account numbers or social security numbers, until you’ve been offered and accepted the job. Even then, it’s best to ask for an official document stating that they need this information before giving it out.
- Your personal information should always remain protected. If you’re doing an online video chat, make sure the individual works for the company you signed a contract with and make sure their email address coincides with the company’s email address. Many scammers change one letter to a number in a company’s email address, which still looks legitimate at a glance.
When Third-Party Apps Are Red Flags
- If someone is trying to “interview” you via a third-party messenger app like Telegram or WhatsApp—run! These are scammers trying to steal your information or money.
- Skype has been the go-to tool for scammers that I’ve encountered. The AI responses are believable. I tested one of the scammer’s chats, and they made a name for me. I used it to continue the chat to see what other information they wanted from me. They sent a link. Don’t open the link. When I wasn’t aware of these scammers, I opened the link and filled out the questions they asked (like name, address, and why this position). When I discovered it was a scam, I ran my laptop through a few anti-virus scanners to ensure it was okay.
- Report any suspicious messages or postings on platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com right away, so other people don’t fall victim to these scams as well.
- With the economy being down and many people being laid off, these scammers are hunting in a gold mine. Protecting each other is the only way to stop these scammers from destroying our credit scores. Platforms need to do a better job vetting these clients and the jobs they are posting.
Stop the Scamming (Closing Thoughts)
It’s devasting to me that some people will try to monetize on other people’s misfortunes. Searching for a job is already so difficult, with so many people laid off. Now the unemployment field needs to look out for scammers.
Always remember that if something seems too good to be true—it usually is! Don’t let yourself get caught up in the allure of quick money and easy jobs because chances are it’s a scammer at work trying to take advantage of you. Stay vigilant and stay safe out there!
Feel free to let me know if you have other tips to protect yourself from job scammers!