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The Designer’s Guide to Dodging Job Scammers Scammers are the ultimate "evil clients"—they find clever ways to exploit those in vulnerable situations. And let’s face it, job hunting can be like navigating a minefield of bad design choices. Job scammers, with their too-good-to-be-true offers, are the comic sans of the employment world, hoping to separate you from your hard-earned money. Employment Scam Red Flags: Unrealistic Offers: Is the job promising a six-figure salary for designing stick figures? Yeah, no. If it sounds like a fantasy, it probably is.Upfront Fees: Legit employers won’t ask you to pay for applications, training, or background checks. If they do, they're just trying to kern your wallet. Requests for Personal Information: Never share your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords during the application process. Keep your personal info as guarded as your precious font library. Stay Safe with These Tips: Research Thoroughly: Before applying, research the company. Make sure their online presence doesn’t look like a Geocities page from the '90s. Use Established Job Boards: Stick to reputable job search platforms. Avoid unsolicited offers that pop up like spammy pop-up ads. Be Wary of Free Job Listings: If a site promises "guaranteed jobs" or requires payment, it's probably more bogus than a unicorn riding a rainbow. As always, use common sense and trust your gut when searching for a job. Watch out for pressure tactics, poorly written emails (no designer worth their salt would send out something riddled with typos), and anything that seems too good to be true. If you suspect a job scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Because no one deserves to get scammed, especially not designers who already have to deal with clients requesting comic sans logos. https://lnkd.in/eni8XrRP

Things banks need to watch out for when hiring: a. Check if the person's identity matches who they say they are to avoid identity theft or fraud. b. Look for any past crimes that might show red flags. c. Check their financial history to see any possible red flags d. Make sure they really did the jobs they say they did before and were honest in those roles. e. Talk to the people they've listed as references to learn about their personality, how they work, and if they can be trusted.

Graphics contractor scam alert! I applied here on LinkedIn yesterday to a contract job listing from the School City of East Chicago. Scammer contact email: [email protected] (proper URL is @scec.k12.in.us) Their reply came with some classic red flags which I am happy to share so that others can avoid falling for similar scams– • They contacted me the day after I applied: Hiring managers have a lot of resumes to go through, so unless something extraordinary happens they will not get back to you that quickly. • The person was overly complimentary,. This is also unusual. Hiring managers will usually play their cards closer to the vest. • The job is a slide presentation for which they will need a lot of work. In this case, the presentation was about ecological awareness but the presentation format is the hallmark of a scam I have seen several times. The scammer will usually have a robust set of specs to throw at you if you ask for more info. • I didn't get that far with this scam but down the road, they may try to bully you into using payment methods that circumvent normal background verification methods. One scammer shipped me a cashier's check that bore no resemblance to the style of checks from that bank. It is unfortunate that we have to deal with people like this, who will seek to steal from contractors who are often times just getting by. Test your leads well. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. If a prospect makes you uncomfortable, listen to your gut and ask questions. When i called the School they confirmed that the hiring manager's email had been compromised, and they had to inform several applicants the job was a scam. If you confirm they are a scammer don't deal with them any further. Don't threaten them, even if it feels justified. Report their email and any relevant details to the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker and tell your friends in the industry to make them aware. Stay safe!

Job Hunting Beware: Don't Fall Victim to Recruitment Scams The job search can be a challenging process, filled with competition and uncertainty. Unfortunately, scammers prey on this vulnerability, targeting eager job seekers with fake opportunities. Here's how to identify and avoid job recruitment scams: Red Flags of a Phony Offer: Too Good to Be True: Job postings that promise high salaries for minimal experience or qualifications are a red flag. Scammers often lure victims with unrealistic offers. Unprofessional Communication: Scam recruiters may contact you through personal email addresses instead of official company accounts. Emails might be poorly written with grammatical errors or typos. Upfront Fees: Legitimate employers don't charge you for applying to a job, for training, or for equipment. Requests for money upfront are a clear sign of a scam. Pressure Tactics: Scammers may try to pressure you into a quick decision, urging you to send personal information or participate in a "test project" before securing the job. Fake Company or Job Posting: Research the company and job title online. Be wary if the company website looks unprofessional or has limited information. How to Protect Yourself: Research the Company: Before getting excited, verify the company's legitimacy. Check their website, social media presence, and online reviews. Be Wary of Unsolicited Offers: If a recruiter reaches out to you about an opportunity you never applied for, approach with caution. Legitimate recruiters usually contact you regarding positions you've expressed interest in. Never Share Personal Information: Don't provide your Social Security number, bank account details, or other sensitive information unless you're confident about the employer. Trust Your Gut: If something feels off about a job offer, it probably is. Don't hesitate to walk away from any opportunity that raises red flags. Reporting Scams: If you encounter a recruitment scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://lnkd.in/gum4Z58Y You can also report the scam to the job board where you found the fraudulent posting. Remember: A safe job search involves healthy skepticism and thorough research. By being cautious and aware of the tactics scammers use, you can protect yourself from falling victim to a recruitment scam. Focus your energy on legitimate opportunities and land the job you deserve!

Would you fall for a scam? It’s quite common that we see scammers as unknown phone numbers trying to deceive you into handing over your bank details or fake websites online but, often enough we turn up to a job and are disgusted to see our clients have paid for severely bad workmanship. The intention of this post is to tell you what to look out for when hiring any new company to carry out work at your home. 1. Do they have any accreditations? 2. Check to see if they have positive reviews and previous works that have been completed on social media 3. If you are not happy with the price. Do they suddenly make it incredibly cheap? Remember, sometimes a company may be more expensive because they are using the correct materials needed and ensuring the work is completed to a high level with qualified professionals. You may think at first you are getting a bargain, but if the job isn’t fixed, you are then having to pay out AGAIN evidently costing more than you initially planned. 4. Do any family or friends have recommendations. The most reliable companies are often shared by word and mouth. 5. Please comment below any other advice that could help others from falling for fraudsters ⬇️

No, I wasn't contacted by someone at the Daily Wire. I haven't applied for any jobs with them, much less expressed any interest in the Daily Wire. This is an all-too-typical scam email. Like I said, I haven't applied for any jobs with them, so that's one red flag. Another is the idea that anyone will send an email the day before they want you to interview with them. The recurring techniques are there: 1) an email address that sounds like the company that the scammers are impersonating. The domains used don't lead anywhere if you check. 2) the scammers often use the names of actual employees of the real company. In this case, there is a real "Frank J. Fleming" who works as a scripted creator at the Daily Wire, rather than a recruiter.

Job seekers: Beware! https://lnkd.in/gs6AMHjT Scammers are lurking on LinkedIn and other job sites, posing as “recruiters” for well-known companies. But instead of looking to hire you, they’re really looking to take your money and personal information. It starts with a direct message on a job search site like Indeed or LinkedIn. The “recruiter” says you have exactly the skill set they’re looking for. Next, they’ll email an official-looking invitation for a virtual interview along with a Job Briefing guide that gives you details about your job duties and job benefits. (Did that email come from a personal email, not a company account? That’s a red flag.) After the virtual interview, you get an official-looking offer letter, complete with the company’s name and logo. But after they offer you the job, they’ll push for your money and personal information. You’ll get an invoice (it’s fake) for equipment like a computer they’ll order for you, but tell you to pay for — using cash, Zelle, or PayPal. They promise to reimburse you. But they won’t because it’s a scam. Or, instead, they’ll ask for your personal information, like your driver’s license, Social Security, or bank account number, to fill out “employment paperwork.” And they want it before they’ll answer your questions about the job. But if you share it, they might steal your identity. To spot these scams, know that honest employers will never ask you to pay upfront fees for a job or for equipment. And they won’t ask you to pay them using cash, Zelle or PayPal. Anyone who does is a scammer. To avoid these scams, never give out personal information before doing some research. Contact the company directly using a phone number you know to be legitimate — not one you got from the “recruiter.” Or go to the company’s website. If you can’t confirm the job is real, it could be a scam. The FTC has resources to help you spot job scams. If you spot a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

#PSA for businesses impersonated in #jobscams and #recruitmentscams, like those described in this FTC guidance. While not a #privacy matter per se, I've recently advised on several incidents where scammers post fake job postings for a legitimate business, conduct virtual interviews, and then make an “offer.” The victim then completes paperwork providing direct deposit details and other sensitive information. If you find your business’s name is used in one of these scams (which will be through no fault of your own), there are limited actions you can take to help. But I typically advise clients consider: 1. Reporting the incident to law enforcement (such as your state attorney general, IC3, and/or the FTC) and encouraging victims to do so as well. 2. Reporting the incident to websites where scammers solicit victims through fraudulent posts. 3. Posting a brief disclaimer on your websites or job posts. Victims will of course only see the disclaimer if they visit a legitimate site/posting, but these do seem to be of some help and document responsive action.

Scammers are getting more creative in their ability to entrap people in identity theft. You can go through a series of interviews, asked to do random tasks to prove your abilities and in the end you can be compromised into thinking you scored that job you were hopeful for. Do not give a copy of your drivers license to anyone unless you have already started a position or signed the contract agreement. Do not give out your social security number. A recruiter suggested if the last four of your social is necessary, give the last four of your phone number for security. Looking for that next role is stressful enough, especially in an economic downturn. Many positions are being frozen or closed, there is an extreme lack of communication and in some cases unprofessionalism. Just because you are looking for a job, don’t let the scammers take advantage if you or the position you are in. Don’t settle for less than what you need to survive. It is hard to be patient for the right fit - but it will come. You are worth it. Remember that we have been through struggles for the last several years. One day we will look back in these moments and realize how much stronger and determined we have become. PS: if you are a scammer and are looking at my profile, the exit is to the left. #tuesdaytip

*** WARNING *** Scammers using recruitment companies names to add credibility to their scams!! Please watch out for recruitment scams which involve criminals luring victims with the promise of extra work or income before conning them out of bank details or taking control of their phones to steal money. Please click the link below if you would like to read more and for advice on how to report a scam: https://lnkd.in/ez7W6AUB