Experts caution job seekers as employment scams skyrocket
FTC: $170+ million lost to business and job scams in Q2 of 2024
(InvestigateTV) — A recent report from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) showed a 118%increase in employment scams from 2022 to 2023.
Experts warn scammers are leveraging job listing websites and job search platforms to steal personal information and money.
ITRC COO James Lee said they have also seen people go through an application process, only to find out it was fake.
“Somebody actually thinks they’re dealing with an HR department when in fact they’re dealing with a professional identity criminal,”Lee noted.
To avoid these scams, Melanie McGovern with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said beware if you’re not going through rounds of interviews.
“There will be phone calls,” McGovern said. “There will be interviews in person. If it’s just, hey download this texting app and we’ll talk to you that way, or on a free texting web site, that’s a big red flag.”
The BBB has a guide to help avoid job scams that include these tips:
- If a job seems too good to be true, it likely is
- Be wary of job offers from companies you have not applied toor contacted
- Legitimate companies will not ask people to pay them for jobs or to cash checks for them
Those who may have encountered an employment scam are encouraged to report it to the BBB Scam Tracker.
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