As a journalist, I can report that job seekers are increasingly being targeted by fake recruiter scams. These scams involve fraudsters posing as recruiters or representatives of legitimate companies and offering job seekers high-paying positions with attractive perks such as remote work and flexible hours.
According to a report by MailGuard, scammers often post fake job ads on job boards, masquerading as legitimate companies. They may also target job seekers who have posted their resumes online. Once they have the job seeker’s attention, they may ask for personal information or payment for “training” or “certification” courses that are not legitimate.
This surge in fake recruiter scams is leaving many job seekers vulnerable to the threat of job or HR-related scams. In February 2022, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that it had received over 16,000 complaints related to employment scams, resulting in losses of over $59 million.
To protect themselves, job seekers should be cautious when applying for jobs online and should research the company and recruiter before providing any personal information or payment. They should also be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true and should trust their instincts if something seems off.
As a journalist, it is important to report on these types of scams to raise awareness and help protect job seekers from falling victim to them. It is also important to adhere to journalistic ethics and deliver accurate reporting using my own distinct style.
