If you’ve been looking for a full-time remote job for a while, or if you’re hoping to settle down on a stable aspect, you can do it remotely. It may not always be easy to recognize the signs of remote job fraud. And while that may seem incredible, the number of con artists trying to steal from unsuspecting job seekers has been steadily rising in recent years.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported in December that the amount lost to employment fraud exploded in the first half of 2024, spiraling to more than $220 million. About 20,000 Americans reported these scams in the first six months of last year, according to federal data. In comparison, only about 5,000 people reported defeating prey (and losing money) in employment scams in 2023.
Unfortunately, these numbers could be much higher than the reported $220 million. why is that? Federal authorities say most of these frauds have not been reported. Because people who are scammed are often embarrassed and don’t want to admit that they’ve been fooled to send money to someone else.
10 Simple Tips to Protect Yourself from Remote Job Scams
Luckily there are ways to protect yourself from criminals who are aiming to make quick money from unsuspecting job hunters. Beware of warning signs and red flags such as the following to better identify and avoid job fraud from home through job hunting and throughout the interview process:
1. Send unsolicited text or message via the app
Just as the IRS doesn’t make calls without making calls, legitimate businesses won’t text strangers to add to their employee rank. According to the FTC, you must ignore (and delete) unexpected texts or messages from apps on your smartphone.
Please do not share any confidential information. If you wish to submit a link, please do not click.
2. They ask you for money or cryptocurrency
Most of us know that the overall point of the job is to make money. But if you are desperate for work, you may want to give a specific opportunity. Know this: If someone needs to send a fee before or while hiring, the chances are pretty good that you will never see that money again.
The FBI warns people to be particularly skeptical of jobs that may feel like a game. There you will complete a series of tasks to make money. In this type of fraud, the fraudster may actually be paid for several tasks before making a request for funds. Do not send them money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or any other form of payment.
3. Do not request references or resumes
Even in today’s job market, most employers request a reference, a job sample, or a resume to allow you to say you can. If they don’t ask for these items or If you see a little recruitment process Too much It’s a simple, suspicious time.
4. They promise a salary that appears to be excessive for the required work
Some scams have been around for decades in the form of advertising that promises big money. While some of these jobs have turned out to be sales positions that promote what experienced professionals can make over the years, it’s just a fake ploy by criminals trying to steal your sensitive personal information so that many can access and take money by accessing your bank account or credit card details. In this case, it is important to remember the ancient sayings. If that seems too good, it is probably.
5. They make it difficult to understand your payment structure
Legal businesses are very clear about how much and when workers are paid. If a potential employer is not easy and transparent about your salary, it is a sign that the job is either a scam or at least something you don’t want to be involved in.
6. They use words such as job description optimization
The FBI posted a recommendation in June 2024, warning the public about scammers who provide fake jobs for victims from their hometown jobs that frequently involve simple tasks like restaurant ratings and “optimizing” services. In the fraud scenario presented by federal agents, it was known that criminals would posed as real business such as staffing or hiring agencies, leaving unsolicited calls or messages to contact the victim. Some people are also advertised on legal job boards and social media platforms, including LinkedIn.
7. They don’t show their faces on video calls or use text or email only
Companies that hire people for legal work will become transparent about who they are. They will not only chat with you, including cameras, texts, emails, or even chat about legitimate employment opportunities via apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. It’s probably true for people who look suspicious.
8. They use poor grammar and spelling words
There is a saying that con artists never sleep. Perhaps communication with potential victims can be filled with grammar, missing words, and abbreviations that would normally not be seen in providing legitimate work emails or letters. (These errors will also appear on the fake job listings.) No one can become a champion speller, but you don’t want to be hired by a business that doesn’t present a professional image.
9. They use personal email addresses that are not associated with the business
According to the FTC, the only way a scammer runs is to reach out to unsuspecting recruiting hunters and say they are recruiters or headhunters. Legitimate recruiters and headhunters almost always have professional emails containing the name of their business, even if it’s their own.
Federal officials say it’s wise to be vigilant if someone contacts (again, unsolicited) and uses a personal email address or phone number.
You can call your business “recruiter” and say you’re looking for HR departments and make sure someone is up and down. When doing this, don’t use the number that the person gave you. Instead, check your company’s phone number and contact them as such.
10. They only have social media accounts and no official website
We may live in the golden age of social media, but legal employers of all sizes have real websites where they can learn more about their business in most cases. Facebook and Instagram are great for sharing information and looking for qualified candidates, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is legal.
Below are some tips from the FBI to protect yourself from remote job scams.
- Do not send financial or personally identifiable information such as your Social Security number, driver’s license number, or account number.
- Be very careful of unsolicited jobs through text and email messages. Specifically, do not click on links, download files, or try to open attachments with these communications.
- You should not send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to a potential employer, recruiter, or employment manager.
The bottom row of remote job scam
Even if you are desperate for a remote work position, it is very important to trust your gut and never give personal financial information to anyone who provided jobs that you didn’t apply to. Do your homework before replying to someone you think is the most suspicious in this field. Find out the company online and contact them to make sure they are the person they say before recruiters respond to them. You can also look them up in the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Glassdoor to see if they are legitimate employers. It’s where you can know if a complaint has been filed against them. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Maintain remote job searches with Home Career Planner jobs. This is a step-by-step system that helps you stay organized and maintain fraud. With tools to investigate opportunities, track applications and plan your next step, this planner will lose time, stress, and potentially thousands of dollars into remote employment scams.
