July 18, 2023

As more industries lay off workers, scams have rapidly increased. This issue has proven more problematic in the tech industry due to the significant rate of employees losing work. As such, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued several warnings concerning the problem.

According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), they saw a 250% increase in reported scams over the previous year. The agency’s Scam Tracker reported $840,000 in losses during the first three months of 2023. It also calculated a median loss of $1,500 by victims of job scams. This loss can devastate the unemployed, further complicating their situation.

Though they vary in how they work, employment scams often attempt to steal personal information or money. Scammers try contacting you via email, text, phone, or chat platforms to get your information. Sometimes, they may advertise jobs on social media or job sites. Many scammers even use the names of legitimate companies.

Regardless of the method, applying for their jobs allows scammers to begin. When you apply, they often ask for a large fee or personal information, claiming they want to conduct a background check. They may even request your bank information to set up direct deposit. Sometimes, they will conduct interviews before asking for money or personal information.

Job seekers must stay vigilant to avoid employment scams. As such, you should research the company before providing any personal information. You should also avoid paying someone advertising the job. Consider taking these steps to ensure the advertisement’s legitimacy:

You could also investigate the email domain of the potential employer and compare it to the company you would apply through. When talking with the recruiter via email, consider comparing it with the contact information provided by the company. If they do not match, it is likely a scam. 

Finally, you can also search the internet for answers. You can find testimonies and warnings from others about scams that may prove associated with the company. You should contact your financial institution and the Social Security Administration if you believe you responded to a scam.

Safeguarding your personal information and protecting yourself from fraud is crucial. With the rise of employment scams, you should run a self-background check to ensure the security of your information. A self-check could prove crucial if you believe you ran into an employment scam. Stay ahead of identity thieves and other scammers by running a self-check and maintaining control of your personal information.

Protect and guard your personal information and your identity with a seamless self background check. Try it today.

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