Protect Yourself from Job Scams

The increase in unemployment rates, economic pressures, data security breaches, and the availability of free employment resources have ultimately led to a rise in job scams.

Job scams are fake job opportunities that are used to lure job seekers into giving away sensitive information or even money. It is estimated that 14 million people are exposed to these scams each year, amounting to over $2 billion lost annually.

As you embark on the search for your next career, stay safe with these job seeker tips.

Many employment scams request start-up or training fees to begin onboarding. Legitimate job opportunities (outside of franchising or entrepreneurial opportunities) do not require employees to pay upfront fees.
Requests for personally identifiable information will never come in the first exchange with a legitimate employer. Additionally, never email or text sensitive information and assume these methods are not secure. Always ensure the request is legitimate and only submit sensitive information through a secure web portal.
Given the high volume of roles recruiters manage, not every message will be flawless. However, multiple spelling or grammar mistakes, aggressive language, or odd requests can signal an unprofessional or even fraudulent entity. A reputable recruiter will always communicate in a polished and professional manner.
While many scams will have a professional look and feel, do your research before applying. Does the recruiter’s email address match the company name? Is it a real organization? Did you initiate contact or was the reach-out attempt unsolicited? Be mindful of where and how you are being contacted.
If you have been contacted about a role with a known company that you did not apply for, call the company’s general number and say, “I am calling because I received a [form of contact] from someone who says they’re on your recruiting/hiring team. They are recruiting for [position]. I am checking to make sure that this is a viable opening and recruiter.” You can also search the company name and “scam” to see if anything pops up.
If you’re nearing the end of a hiring process and have only communicated via email or SMS, request a phone or virtual interview. If you’re offered a role without an interview, it’s a strong sign that something isn’t right.”
 Legitimate recruiters are in search of specific skill sets. If the role you have been presented with does not align with the skills or interests you have expressed, check the legitimacy of the source and ask questions. With the rise of AI and smart technology in recruiting, errors or misdirected outreach can happen. A mismatch in skills isn’t necessarily a sign of a scam, but it should encourage you to evaluate the opportunity carefully and do further research.”
If an employer asks anything unusual of you, the terms of the proposed job are irregular, the salary or work conditions seem too good to be true, or the opportunity requires some form of investment from you, it should raise a red flag. Ask for clarification on anything you find atypical and be cautious if offered the job after only a couple of interactions.”

Your Job Search with RecruitMilitary

At RecruitMilitary, we offer many tools to enhance your job search including a job board, career events, live webinars, targeted outreach, and direct placement services. Throughout your experience, you will likely interact with a variety of team members.

RecruitMilitary and our partner employers will never:

  • Ask you to submit PII through an unsecure method of communication.
  • Solicit money or payment.
  • Release your information to non-vetted employment partners.
  • Push you towards a specific course of action.
  • Offer employment opportunities without a formal interview process.
  • Contact you via SMS, WhatsApp, or email without prior profile creation.

How to Protect Yourself From Job Scams

Most job sites do their utmost to protect candidates from fraudulent job postings, but exceptions can always slip through.

If you feel you have been targeted by a job scam, take these steps to keep yourself (and our military community) safe from threats:

  • Report suspicious activity

    RecruitMilitary’s job board (and most others) have an option to flag a suspicious job posting. If approached outside of a host site, report scammers at:

  • Notify impersonated companies

    That way, legitimate organizations know to be on the lookout for copycats and can pursue legal action if needed.

  • Take action

    If you think your PII may have been compromised, freeze your credit, notify your bank, and change your username and password on your financial accounts.

Remember, though scams do happen, you don’t need to be fearful in your job search. Maintain awareness, be smart, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Report a Scam