Avoiding Internet or E-mail Job Search Scams

Avoiding Internet or email job search scams.

 


(Too busy to read it? Listen to the podcast!)

 

The check may 'look' legitimate, but often there is no routing number or account number, and most bank tellers are trained on spotting the 'fake' checks issued in con-games, so they can warn account holders about the scam.

The check may ‘look’ legitimate, but often there is no routing number or account number, and most bank tellers are trained on spotting the ‘fake’ checks issued in con-games, so they can warn account holders about the scam.

I recently assisted job seekers who were scouring some of the larger job boards, as well as Craig’s list for jobs to which they could apply.  One came to me with a joy of accomplishment on her face, noting, “I got a job!” She explained a ‘guy’ has parents with Alzheimer’s who wants a babysitter for a few hours weekly for $800 a week.  “He wants my address so he can send me the check even before I start working.”

Bells started clanging in my head. He’s hiring sight-unseen? Who pays an employee before they start the job without meeting first to get an impression of trust? He is going to let a stranger take care of his beloved parents? Why $800 for a few hours?

This is a classic scam to susceptible, gullible – and desperate – job seekers. They are so happy to have a job offer, they don’t stop to think if the offer is ‘too good to be true.’

Here is a sample of the benefits and requirements for a ‘con job’ description a client received recently: Financial Support Agent. Job requirements: Minimum age 18; constant Internet access; home/mobile phone #; regular bank account (checking /savings) or a Verified Premier or Business PayPal account. At first glance it seems ok, but what legitimate employer wants to verify or have access to your bank information? What could they need with your checking account – even before you start working?

The goal is to convince the ‘mark’ to deposit a bogus check they send for you to cash. Job seekers run to the bank and deposit the check (because its out of state or the US, it takes a week to ‘clear’). The next day, you receive an urgent message asking for a refund of part of that money (usually about ¾ or more).  You believe the money is already in the bank, so send them a ‘certified check’ or other bank-insured (PayPal) money.  A few days later, you find out their initial check was bogus and the bank name on the check doesn’t exist. You were conned in giving them cash, or you may now owe bank overdraft fees and charges.

Another scam is the ‘shops’ that charge desperate job seekers to find a job for them.  Those job mills scan local newspapers and online ads (you could do this yourself). Then they submit your application, but supply their office number as a point of contact. These job shops charge the ‘customer’ exorbitant fees (several hundreds of dollars) before they set up the interview.  They may even be set up as a temp staffing agency to look legitimate.

I get emails noting, “We read your resume and feel you have the qualifications for working with our company…” These companies send a ‘bot’ into resume and job posting boards to troll for email addresses.  Once they have them, they send mass emails out to come to work for the companies as a life or health benefits sales person, a financial planner, or a job unrelated to my skill set(s). They haven’t read the resumes, but let the software do the trolling.  It works, they get responses, and continue to solicit naïve job seekers. If a human read my resume, they’d realize I am not a systems networking engineer, but a business owner. I haven’t been looked for a job in years (so just how old is the data-mined information?).

There are lessons learned here. Don’t believe any employer is going to offer you free housing, business vehicles, cash in advance of the job performed, or other benefits ‘too good to believe.’ Any company offering to find you employment, but charges hundreds of dollars in advance for those services, are going to do what you can do yourself. Legitimate headhunters charge the employer or the company who is seeking a qualified candidate – not the job seeker. Because someone ‘says’ you are qualified – especially via a mass generated email – doesn’t mean you are qualified.

Craig’s list may be a reliable source for jobs for about 5% of the folks using it, but it’s a magnet for con artists internationally. Valid recruiters and headhunters will provide their telephone numbers, email addresses, and contact information and will not  make promises up front.  Their reputation is on the line, and they need to vet and interview all candidates in the real world.  Venture forward and double-check those jobs for legitimacy before you hand over your personal employment information. Read between the lines and stick to reliable and valid job boards and resume databases.

 

 

 

Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., is the owner of D. Boyer Consulting – a career services coach, social media management, human resources and business development consultant. Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@DBoyerConsulting.com or https://dboyerconsulting.com.

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Avoiding Internet or E-mail Job Search Scams

Avoiding Internet or email job search scams.

 


(Too busy to read it? Listen to the podcast!)

 

The check may 'look' legitimate, but often there is no routing number or account number, and most bank tellers are trained on spotting the 'fake' checks issued in con-games, so they can warn account holders about the scam.

The check may ‘look’ legitimate, but often there is no routing number or account number, and most bank tellers are trained on spotting the ‘fake’ checks issued in con-games, so they can warn account holders about the scam.

I recently assisted job seekers who were scouring some of the larger job boards, as well as Craig’s list for jobs to which they could apply.  One came to me with a joy of accomplishment on her face, noting, “I got a job!” She explained a ‘guy’ has parents with Alzheimer’s who wants a babysitter for a few hours weekly for $800 a week.  “He wants my address so he can send me the check even before I start working.”

Bells started clanging in my head. He’s hiring sight-unseen? Who pays an employee before they start the job without meeting first to get an impression of trust? He is going to let a stranger take care of his beloved parents? Why $800 for a few hours?

This is a classic scam to susceptible, gullible – and desperate – job seekers. They are so happy to have a job offer, they don’t stop to think if the offer is ‘too good to be true.’

Here is a sample of the benefits and requirements for a ‘con job’ description a client received recently: Financial Support Agent. Job requirements: Minimum age 18; constant Internet access; home/mobile phone #; regular bank account (checking /savings) or a Verified Premier or Business PayPal account. At first glance it seems ok, but what legitimate employer wants to verify or have access to your bank information? What could they need with your checking account – even before you start working?

The goal is to convince the ‘mark’ to deposit a bogus check they send for you to cash. Job seekers run to the bank and deposit the check (because its out of state or the US, it takes a week to ‘clear’). The next day, you receive an urgent message asking for a refund of part of that money (usually about ¾ or more).  You believe the money is already in the bank, so send them a ‘certified check’ or other bank-insured (PayPal) money.  A few days later, you find out their initial check was bogus and the bank name on the check doesn’t exist. You were conned in giving them cash, or you may now owe bank overdraft fees and charges.

Another scam is the ‘shops’ that charge desperate job seekers to find a job for them.  Those job mills scan local newspapers and online ads (you could do this yourself). Then they submit your application, but supply their office number as a point of contact. These job shops charge the ‘customer’ exorbitant fees (several hundreds of dollars) before they set up the interview.  They may even be set up as a temp staffing agency to look legitimate.

I get emails noting, “We read your resume and feel you have the qualifications for working with our company…” These companies send a ‘bot’ into resume and job posting boards to troll for email addresses.  Once they have them, they send mass emails out to come to work for the companies as a life or health benefits sales person, a financial planner, or a job unrelated to my skill set(s). They haven’t read the resumes, but let the software do the trolling.  It works, they get responses, and continue to solicit naïve job seekers. If a human read my resume, they’d realize I am not a systems networking engineer, but a business owner. I haven’t been looked for a job in years (so just how old is the data-mined information?).

There are lessons learned here. Don’t believe any employer is going to offer you free housing, business vehicles, cash in advance of the job performed, or other benefits ‘too good to believe.’ Any company offering to find you employment, but charges hundreds of dollars in advance for those services, are going to do what you can do yourself. Legitimate headhunters charge the employer or the company who is seeking a qualified candidate – not the job seeker. Because someone ‘says’ you are qualified – especially via a mass generated email – doesn’t mean you are qualified.

Craig’s list may be a reliable source for jobs for about 5% of the folks using it, but it’s a magnet for con artists internationally. Valid recruiters and headhunters will provide their telephone numbers, email addresses, and contact information and will not  make promises up front.  Their reputation is on the line, and they need to vet and interview all candidates in the real world.  Venture forward and double-check those jobs for legitimacy before you hand over your personal employment information. Read between the lines and stick to reliable and valid job boards and resume databases.

 

 

 

Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., is the owner of D. Boyer Consulting – a career services coach, social media management, human resources and business development consultant. Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@DBoyerConsulting.com or https://dboyerconsulting.com.



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