{"id":49616,"date":"2018-10-15T05:00:07","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T12:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/?p=49616"},"modified":"2018-10-15T05:00:07","modified_gmt":"2018-10-15T12:00:07","slug":"protect-job-scammers-fake-job-offers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/protect-job-scammers-fake-job-offers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Protect Yourself From Job Scammers and Fake Job Offers"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re job-hunting, you need to know about a scam that could end up costing you thousands of dollars \u2013 not to mention your faith in humanity and a good chunk of your time. In June, scammers started targeting communications professionals with \u201cjob leads\u201d and fake job offers at top agencies like Weber Shandwick and MKTG<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The scam in question was a variation on the well-worn \u201cNigerian prince will send you a check for $100,000; you keep $90,000 but wire him $10K.\u201d The difference was that it was tailored and targeted to prey on hopeful job seekers.<\/p>\n

The Details<\/h2>\n

The scam artists placed bogus want-ads on ZipRecruiter. The jobs were legitimate-sounding opportunities (e.g., work-from-home graphic designer) with high-profile and well-respected agencies. The ads themselves used professional-looking logos, real employee names, and even language copied from the real agency\u2019s website. In a few cases, the scammers sent emails to unsuspecting individuals.<\/p>\n

Once a job seeker replied to the bogus ad, the scammer set up a job interview via Google Hangout. After a long and fairly convincing interview, an offer letter (also fairly persuasive) was sent. Then the job seeker was mailed a check to be deposited and used to purchase computers and equipment to furnish a home office.<\/p>\n

The catch is, there\u2019s no job. The check is from a non-existent account, and of course, it bounces after the job-seeker makes the expensive purchase through a vendor that is linked to the con artist and doesn\u2019t send the furniture.<\/p>\n

If you make it to the end of the process, you\u2019ve been duped out of your money, your credit card numbers, and your social security number.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How to Protect Yourself<\/h2>\n

Even though this particular scam was brought to light and the agencies unfairly implicated have gone to great lengths to inform and warn job seekers<\/a>, scams are a lot like cockroaches: Where there\u2019s one, there\u2019s probably 1,000 more of them, and the minute you get rid of one of them, another pops up instantly to take its place. Be ready so you won\u2019t get taken by the next one.<\/p>\n

Never, ever give out your personal information online<\/strong> \u2013 especially your social security number or banking information. If anyone asks, consider it a giant red flag.<\/p>\n

If you start smelling a rat, pay attention to details<\/strong>. If you\u2019re applying for a job at a large and reputable company but all of the communications are sent from someone at a Gmail account, this could be a sign that not everything is as it seems. Cybersecurity experts McAfee have a thorough checklist on recognizing fake emails<\/a> that is a must read.<\/p>\n

Similarly, watch out for communications of any kind riddled with misspellings, typos, and poor grammar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Beware of any ad that says IMMEDIATE HIRE<\/strong>. If you\u2019ve ever interviewed at large agency, you know the bureaucracy involved \u2013 almost no one is EVER hired after a single interview. One candidate interviewing for a graphic designer position reported that the interviewer never asked about his portfolio.<\/p>\n

Likewise, most legitimate companies will never hire via a chat app<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re working with a recruiter and they ask for money upfront, run<\/strong>. Recruiters make their money when a company hires their candidates.<\/p>\n

How to Continue Your Job Search<\/h2>\n

Even when they\u2019re 100% legitimate, applying to an online job posting can make you feel like you\u2019re throwing your resume into a bottomless pit. Instead, energize your job search and get more rewards for your efforts.<\/p>\n

If you do decide to apply to a job online, reach out to your network to learn more about a job<\/strong>. Your odds are so much better if you can get a real email address to send your resume to \u2013 or, better yet, a friend or contact who\u2019ll put in a good word for you when they forward your resume.<\/p>\n

Find positions through your friends and colleagues<\/strong>. Statistics vary, but anywhere from 70 \u2013 85% of all jobs are found through word-of-mouth and networking. Many companies don\u2019t even publish some of the best jobs, so the only way to learn about them is from someone with some \u2018insider information.\u2019<\/p>\n

Above all, trust your gut.<\/strong> Always be positive and optimistic about your job search. Remember, cases like this are the exception, not the rule. However, remind yourself that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.<\/p>\n

\n

Lisa is a Creative Circle candidate and seasoned advertising copywriter who lives in Los Angeles. Her background includes both in-house and agency work on Fortune 500 and global accounts in the consumer and healthcare\/pharmaceutical fields. She excels at words, fashion, and cats. If you want to work with Lisa, contact Creative Circle Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re job-hunting, you need to know about a scam that could end up costing you thousands of dollars \u2013 not to mention your faith in humanity and a good chunk of your time. In June, scammers started targeting communications professionals with \u201cjob leads\u201d and fake job offers at top agencies like Weber Shandwick and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":50740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-life-as-a-freelancer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nProtect Yourself From Job Scammers and Fake Job Offers | Creative Circle<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Job scammers started targeting job seekers in June with tailored and targeted fake job leads and offers. 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