Fake Job Ads

Fake Job Ads
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Fake Job Ads

If you are looking for a job, chances are good that you have found an ad for a position that you thought you were perfect for.

You sent in an application with all the important information then waited for someone to call you. Unfortunately, that call never came.

You probably assumed that the job had been filled by someone else, but later you discover that the same job is listed again, perhaps in another newspaper or online.

It’s the same company and the same job. What’s going on?

You may have just been tricked by an identity thief. Fake job ads like this are commonplace in the internet.

You’ve Been Phished

Job hunting is full of scams. Unfortunately, what many people don’t realize is that scams can come in the most insidious ways.

For example, maybe you will be called by someone you sent a resume to only to discover that there is no job, just someone trying to sell something.

Another, even more devious scheme is what is called phishing, or gathering sensitive information about a person through what might appear to be a trustworthy entity, (i.e. fake job ads being run by fake companies).

The job could be about anything.

The purpose, however, is for nothing more than to get your most sensitive information, primarily financial.

The big problem with these methods is that they’re not only easy to pull off, but by the time someone becomes wise to what’s happening, chances are good that the scammer is long gone…with your identity.

You’re Hired!

There’s probably no feeling that’s better and more of a relief than knowing you have been hired by someone, especially after you might have been out of work for some time.

An ad might direct you to a website that appears to be legit.

You fill out all of the information requested including data such as your SSN, and even submit the required verification documents along with your resume or application, which includes your name, address, phone number, and much more.

You might even be asked for your bank account information, including routing data, presumably to set up a direct deposit for your paychecks.

Then guess what?

The next time you hear from these folks is when they are at a store trying to use your credit to make purchases.

And because of the method they used to get the data, you will probably never make the connection with how they got your personal information.

The Best of Intents

Most job boards and other similar services attempt to weed out these problems before anything is ever posted.

Unfortunately, it’s a big job to check out all of these scams, much less to do something about them.

These businesses are often under-staffed and don’t have the resources to check each ad.

What’s the solution?

Vigilance. That’s right; remember the old saying that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Second, be careful of the information you make available online. You should always be aware of who you are giving information to.

When it comes to sensitive information such as your financial data, deal only with someone who you know represents the company.

This way you have some kind of recourse to go back to if something happens.

Finally, make sure that even if you are dealing with a legit company they aren’t just asking for information to pad their sales prospect lists.

It’s a sad method, but it’s commonly used. Just make sure that you don’t fall victim to it.

You’ll be safe, and probably employed in the process.

 

Find more information:

  1. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/2/9/1274938/-Job-seekers-beware-of-the-fake-job-postings
  2. http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchprivacy/a/identity-theft-protection.htm
  3. http://www.job-hunt.org/onlinejobsearchguide/job-search-scams.shtml
  4. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3078533/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/online-job-listing-id-theft-scam/
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4 thoughts on “Fake Job Ads

  1. Sarah says:

    I’m totally shocked by this article. I would never have even considered this kind of fraud but of course it
    makes sense. Something as vital as job hunting, shouldn’t be fraught with danger. It’s awful that some people exploit other people’s misfortune and unemployment for their own gain. It’s true that if a job seems suspiciously great then you should probably be vigilant.

  2. No Identity Theft says:

    You can’t imagine what kind of schemes these identity thieves concoct Sarah. The sad thing is, the vast majority of the public has no idea about most of them. We are trying to help people become aware of all the malicious ways that identity thieves try to capture victims into their nets of deception. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…….

  3. Sonja Luther says:

    Wow, I had no idea that phishers would do stuff like this. I’ve filled out plenty of applications online, trusting that it gets to the right person. I guess I will be more vigilant from now on!

  4. No Identity Theft says:

    Be careful Sonja! There are a lot of shady individuals that prey on people that are unaware. I am so glad you read this article. These identity thieves are very sophisticated and catch a lot of people in their web of deceit. Make sure to do your homework with the company that does the job posting. Verify through the company’s HR department to make sure they are really looking to hire and verify the employment of the person placing the ad.

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