With millions of users worldwide, LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster and other trusted companies have emerged as the go-to platform for job seekers seeking career and networking opportunities. Unfortunately, this popularity has attracted scammers who seek to exploit unsuspecting individuals, tricking job seekers into divulging personal information and financial details. Learn how to spot Job Scams and protect your personal and financial info.
APC Hiring Process, Know What To Expect
APC, along with its recruiters, HR personnel, and employees, will never request your personal information via phone, text messages, or email. We will not solicit direct deposit details through email, phone calls, or text messages, nor will we ask for payments related to materials, tools, laptops, application fees, or any other items.
At APC, we employ a secure online portal for all job offers and will not send job offers via email. We conduct multiple in-person or virtual interviews, typically through platforms like Teams or Zoom, involving multiple stakeholders before extending a job offer. Most of our recruiters can be identified by the “checkmark” next to their name on LinkedIn.
Any communication from APC employees outside of LinkedIn will originate from an email address ending in “apcinc.com.” If the email address deviates from their name and the APC domain, “apcinc.com,” it is not genuine. We exclusively use “apcinc.com” and “jobs.apcinc.com” for all job postings and communications. Any other variation of the APC name or logo does not represent a legitimate website.
Job Seekers Facing Challenges
Recent months have witnessed widespread layoffs across various industries, impacting tens of thousands of workers. In 2023 alone, over 100,000 employees from U.S. tech companies found themselves jobless. As job seekers navigate these turbulent times, the urgency to secure employment can heighten the risk of falling victim to job scams.
How Scammers Operate on Job Boards
LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster and others are trusted platforms where job seekers and recruiters converge to connect, network, and explore potential career opportunities. Because of their reputation and the presence of genuine companies and professionals, victims often trust the legitimacy of their interactions. After a few seemingly friendly exchanges with a new contact, job seekers can become susceptible to falling for scams.
AI Making Job Scams More Sophisticated
Common Types of Job Scams
Fake Job Postings: Scammers create enticing remote job opportunities that manage the entire interview process virtually. They collect personal information, ID documents, and even demand upfront payments for work-related items before vanishing.
Fake Recruiter Profiles: Scammers easily create fake profiles and pose as legitimate recruiters. They establish trust, collect personal information, and pretend it’s for a job referral or application.
Fake Investment Opportunities: Scammers approach users with fraudulent investment opportunities, creating fake companies and websites. After building a professional relationship, they ask for money to secure stakes or holdings.
Warning Signs of Job Scams
- Offers that seem too good to be true
- Urgency and pressure to act quickly
- Solely digital communication with no video or in-person interviews
- Quick job offers without interviews or reference checks
- Spelling errors or poor grammar
- Slightly altered website URLs or company names
- Lack of information about the recruiter or company
- Refusal to disclose the company’s name
- Phishing links for job applications
- Requests for upfront payments or personal/financial information before starting the job
What to Do If You've Fallen for a Job Scam
Document all evidence of the scam, including emails, messages, screenshots, and documents. Report to the FTC by visiting their website at ReportFraud.FTC.gov
Report and block the scammer on LinkedIn, Indeed, or on the platform you’re using to prevent others from falling victim.
Consider investing in identity protection services to monitor your personal and financial information and protect yourself from potential risks.
Information for this article was sourced from Lookout.com, a leading source in online privacy protection.
Jeff Thomas is the marketing and communications leader at Alliance of Professionals & Consultants Inc. As a thought leader in communications for B2B and B2C businesses, Jeff follows market trends in the recruiting and managed services sectors of the IT, Engineering, and other highly skilled talent industries.
