September 26, 2024
Employment Scams
An estimated 14 million individuals fall victim to employment scams every year – don’t be one of them! Scammers will exploit jobseekers into paying bogus fees or providing sensitive information as a condition of a job offer. Stay alert and be mindful of the signs of employment scams.
If your new potential employer:
- Requires you to pay out of pocket for equipment or training
- Requires you to deposit a check into your personal account prior to your start date
- Requires you to provide sensitive or personal financial information
- Does not have information about the company or recruiter online Sounds to good to be true
Be cautious! Never provide your personal or financial information to a potential employer and always vet the company before agreeing to any interview.
Tips for Avoiding Employment Scams:
- Research the company before you apply: visit the company website and vet the company with other sites, such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor
- Verify the job posting on the company website: validate the job opening and, if you were contacted by a recruiter, confirm their role in the organization
- Be wary of companies contacting you out of the blue: If you were contacted about a role that you did not apply for, use caution and never provide personal or financial information
- Don’t fall victim to pressure: Legitimate employers will never pressure you into providing sensitive personal information or to pay out of pocket for the interview
Reminders
A Legitimate Employer Will Never:
- Charge up-front fees for equipment, training, assessment or interviews. If your potential employer is asking you to pay out of pocket for these things, walk away!
- Require you to deposit a physical check or receive a wire into your personal bank account
What to do if you fall victim to a scam:
If you are worried that you have fallen victim to an employment scam, contact your bank immediately for assistance and guidance on how to best protect your accounts and personal information.
