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Employment has suffered due to inflation and the state of the labor market. As a result, many people are scrambling to find work in order to survive. But numerous reports regarding employment fraud have surfaced.
Rhonda Perkins, attorney and chief of staff at the Federal Trade Commission, stated, “We are definitely seeing job scams.” Last year, their office received twice as many reports of job scams as the previous year. Meanwhile, over 16,000 complaints of job scams were received in the first quarter of 2022.
These frauds have always existed, but because of the robust labor market right now, victims are being taken advantage of more frequently. Scammers use a variety of techniques. There are, however, other ways to tell if a job is legitimate or not.
Here are ways:
Although the job offer is attractive, there is little information provided regarding the position
Employers must ensure that their job postings capture the attention of potential employees. However, it would be beneficial if you were wary of postings that promise large sums of money in quick and easy ways.
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According to Sara Sutton, the CEO and founder of FlexJobs, “If a job ad is using too-good-to-be-true terms like: ‘quick money,’ or ‘unlimited earnings potential,’ or ‘laptop for free’ and has very few skill requirements … and a lot of caps and images to distract you, it just doesn’t come across professionally.”
It is advised to visit the specified corporate website for confirmation.
They rarely respond when you ask for more details or don’t respond at all
Recruiters typically contact potential candidates to schedule interviews. However, you must be cautious and vigilant during the call.
“Pay attention to the questions they are asking you. If the recruiter is offering you a job very quickly without verifying your work experience or asking for references and moving very, very quickly — those are also red flags,” said Sutton.
Additionally, it is a good idea to enquire further about the details of the position, particularly if the posting’s job description is vague. Inquire about the qualifications, expectations, and prior work experience needed for the position.
“They will run from you when you start asking more questions,” said Sinem Buber, lead economist at ZipRecruiter.
“If they start giving you inconsistent answers or not answering your questions properly, you know that’s not a real job,” Buber said further.
A recruiter requests your personal information
It is significant to remember that recruiters request your personal details. However, it should simply include your name, address, contact information, and employment history. Anything else should set off alarm bells.
Buber said, “If they are asking you to provide personal information upfront during the interview stages, like your Social Security number for a background check … no legitimate company asks for a background check or Social Security number during the interview stage. That happens after you are hired.”
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In addition, FTC chief of staff Perkins, said, “Look up the name of the company, the person who claims to be hiring you, plus the word ‘scam,’ ‘review,’ or ‘complaint’… and don’t trust reviews on the company’s website. Those could be fake.”
Perkins said that it is extremely recommended to conduct background study on the business.
Requesting for payment
“Don’t pay for the promise of a job, don’t make an upfront payment to get a job — only scammers will ask you to do that,” said Perkins.
When an employer intends to hire you, the only money discussed is the salary and nothing else. Proceed with caution if recruiters request payment for services or training.
It is vital to do your homework and pay close attention to details when looking for a job. Knowing how to distinguish between legitimate employers and impostors can help you avoid hassle and save time.
Source: CNN
