Identity Theft and Job Search Scams

In difficult days like these, ones filled with higher unemployment rates and desperate people, new to the job hunting market, it is easy to see how the ever watchful and predatorial scavengers that are the Identity scammers can easily proliferate and prosper.

Their net area increases exponentially and at the same time the virtual mesh size decreases, and the bate varies, just so they can catch the little guys too. In this case we are talking of job search scams. The posting of fake jobs or sending out fake enquiries from non-existent recruitment companies, all in an effort to make you part with your identity details.

1. Phishing Scams - Job Candidates
Currently, two types of job search scams are most common. One is a phishing scam, where identity theft perpetrators e-mail would-be victims to tell them about potential jobs and opportunities to make extra money. The e-mails direct recipients to credible websites that the identity thieves have created specifically to gather personal information. The overall appearance is contrived to make it look like a genuine job site where you would be willing to submit your genuine job application info.

These fake applications request all the information job seekers would expect to provide, such as their name, address and phone number, but in addition, they also ask for information that you would not expect to provide. Certainly not so early in the process. Beware of sites that make unusual requests and ask for Social Security numbers, permission to conduct a background check and /or bank account information.

They may tell you they need your bank account information so they can make sure your salary can be direct deposited. Some may even sweeten the request by saying that they'll place money in your account and then remove it just to make sure it works. Do not allow this. No professional company will do this. It is simply step one (1) in a trick to fool you and the bank into giving the criminals access to your bank account.

Step two (2) is to empty your bank accounts and Step three (3) is to sell your details to other scammers and criminals. Step four (4) is yours and it's the biggest and most difficult one of all, trying to convince your bank, your family and your creditors that you lost all your money by trusting someone you did not know, had never met and had not even spoken to.

Oh yes, and it goes without saying that you never will receive any information about jobs, because it is not what these people do, it is simply what they say they do.

Identity thieves buy e-mail addresses from legitimate businesses who don't care if they are selling people's information to the Internet black market. It's a bit extra cash for them. So don't expect them to protect you, that's your priority.

2. Phishing Scams - Fake Employers
In the second scam, identity thieves pose as genuine employers on legitimate job search sites. They post a generic job that would appeal to a large number of people (phishing with a wide net, small mesh), and in the course of talking to applicants (online or via phone), they carefully ask for more and more personal information.

They are professional con people (men and women). So they will take it slowly, and spend time 'romancing' you. So as not to spook you, they will sound as credible and plausable as a 'real' employer would but probably more positive about offering you a position, just to draw you further in.

Despite the efforts of the owners, there are identity thieves on all valid and existing job search websites who are posing as employers.

Remember that, in these cases, there is no job to be lost. There is no career path to join. There is only the long road to the Police station to report the loss of your money. Be cautious, question any 'strange' requests and above all good luck with the job hunting.