How to Spot a Job Scam

Unknowingly and sometimes knowingly, job seekers often divulge personal, confidential information while applying for a job online or over telephonic interviews; leading to scammers gaining access to the information. Most often job scammers con job seekers for money or confidential information that can be used for identity theft or online fraud. Here are some ways to spot a job scam.

1. Scam lists

Run an online search for scam lists or databases of scammers. Search for the name of the company, the name of the person (recruiter) who has contacted you. If the particular company or the person has been reported a scam by other victims, it will appear in the lists. 

2. Vague job description

If the job description seems to be vague or ambiguous; if it states that there is no qualification required, no specific skills required, there’s a high possibility of it being a scam. Most genuine jobs will require some qualification and experience. 

3. You never applied for the job

You get an email from a recruiter or employer offering you a job or inviting you for an interview that you had never applied for. Don’t fall for the trap. Scammers often gain access to contact lists and contact databases from hackers and other scammers or from unverified job boards that you might have shared your information with.

4. The job sounds too good to be true

If the job description seems like your dream job, chances are that you’re being scammed. For example, the description mentions work-from-home, a big salary with just a few hours work, extra perks and other big promises, it is definitely a scam.

5. Unprofessional email communication

Organizations and companies maintain communication standards. Whereas some scammers manage to write professional emails that adhere to professional email etiquette and communication guidelines, most scammers don’t. If you notice spelling and grammatical mistakes or incorrect salutation and signing off, or an over friendly tone, think twice before you respond.

6. Contact details and identity of recruiter is hidden 

Scammers will either hide their identity and contact details or in most cases, use fake identities. The best way to move forward is to do an online search for the name of the company, the team and management, the official website and LinkedIn profile. If emails do not include contact details or are sent from a personal email id, you must be careful.

7. Search results of the company don’t add up

If, after running an online search, you do not find substantial information about the company being authentic, trust your gut feeling.  Most companies provide information about its establishment, founders, directors and nature of the business to online databases. If your search for a certain company doesn’t add up, chances are it’s a scam. 

8. Recruiter asks for confidential information

It is easy to tell a scam when the recruiter asks for your personal and confidential information. If the recruiter asks for information like your date of birth, your bank account details or other personal information, most likely it’s a scam.
 

9. You’re asked to pay money

If the recruiter asks you to pay money, buy a kit, software, training kit or pay for something in order to get the job, you are being scammed. The most common ways in which scammers con job seekers of money are by asking for money in the guise of getting a work visa and travel expenses. 
 

10. Advanced search

The Internet provides a number of resources that help find information about legitimate companies. For example, there are websites that help you find email ids of employees of a company. If the email id doesn’t match with the one in your inbox, most probably it’s a scam. Similarly, there are websites that can tell you how old a website is. If the company’s website is just a few months old, be on your guard. 

Authentication and verification are important aspects of the recruitment process for both - the recruiter and the job seeker. FactSuite provides efficient employee background and verification screening services. FactSuite is committed to protecting the client’s and the job applicant’s interests by following strict data security processes.