Online scams that target job seekers

This is not a new incident but we’ve been reading – and hence, here we are to remind you – that there are always online predators who target unsuspecting job seekers with emails that look like genuine employment opportunities.

An email from an unknown or unreliable source that offers a good job or business opportunity could be a scam that takes over your computer and leads to a stolen identity. Email and data security firms are now warning job seekers of these emails that have started to flood inboxes.

Just be careful if an email asks you for confirmation or for personal information, or carry enticing attachments that actually contain destructive computer viruses. The viruses look for your bank account numbers and passwords, or log-ins for social networking sites. Enough personal information can then be collected to steal someone’s identity.

>Job seekers can protect themselves by not giving out personal or financial information over the Internet. It’s also important to research a potential employer and not making any upfront payments to job placement firms.

Oh, by the way, there’s also this advice I once picked up quite a while ago:

“How do you tell the bogus job ads from the real ones? Sometimes it’s easy. Ads from Nigerian businessmen wanting you to collect money for them are obviously bogus–but they’re not all that transparent. It may look real, but if the hiring company isn’t listed, then that’s the first red flag. The second red flag is vague job descriptions that don’t give details, or promise high wages for jobs that require no education or experience. And once they get on on the hook, watch out for what type of information they request. Naturally, if you get a job offer, you’ll have to give your new employer your social security number, and even your bank account number if you want direct deposit of your paycheck. But if they’re asking for that information before you’ve even come into the office for an interview, then it’s a pretty good bet that it’s a scam.”

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