Warning: Job applicants are receiving scam emails with fake employment offers

Written by |
Advertisement

Scammers are preying on vulnerable job seekers, sending fake employment offers through email to obtain personal information.

According to a news alert from the Better Business Bureau, the con artists claim they are responding to a submitted application or found a resume on an online recruiting website.

Read more: 5 reasons hiring managers haven’t called you back

Email scam: How to spot a fake job offer

“These cons often use real company names and can be very convincing,” says Paula Fleming, spokesperson for the BBB serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. “It may look as though you are starting a great new career, but you are really giving personal information to scammers.”

When you’re looking for a job, always double-check contact information on emails, including the name of the sender, their occupation, the company’s address and phone number.

If any of this information looks suspicious to you, go to the employer’s website to verify it directly.

There are some other red flags to look out for, as well. The Better Business Bureau says these are three signs the job offer in your inbox may be a fake:

  1. You sense urgency. Scammers want their emails to stand out, so they may contact applicants multiple times to offer a chance for an interview.
  2. They ask for a payment. You shouldn’t have to pay to be considered or hired by a business. Never give out banking or credit card information.
  3. They want you to work from home to start. Many scams have included text along the lines of, “Required to work from home for the first 15 business days while the office is under construction.” In this case, ask where the office is located.

Have you received one of these phony job offers via email? The BBB wants to hear from you! Report it online to help warn others about the scam.

Read more: Applying for a job? Here’s why you shouldn’t put your home address on your resume

Advertisement
Advertisement