Job scams typically involve individuals who think they are applying for employment but are generally either giving their financial account information to deposit a check received from a company and/or for the company to withdraw funds, or are sending money for goods or services they are supposed to be selling but never receive.
During the search for new employment, job seekers may be at a slightly higher level of risk for identity theft because of the personally identifiable information (PII) they have to share.
HOW DO JOB SCAMS HAPPEN
Job scams typically happen through direct recruitment or on job boards and forums. If a company asks you to provide your financial account information or provide a copy of your Social Security card or driver’s license upfront, or they ask you to cash a check and return the money or receive a package and ship it to someone else, it is likely a job scam.
A lot of recruiting happens online, both legitimate and illegitimate; make sure you are verifying the legitimacy of a company prior to applying. The Better Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce may have information about the company including length of time in business, any potential complaints, etc. It is also important to safely enter or upload your cover sheet, resume and any other requested documentation. Make sure you are using a secure connection to the internet, not public Wi-Fi.
WHAT TYPES OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION IS INVOLVED IN JOB SCAMS
Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license/state I.D. number, name, address, phone number, email and social media account name.
Sensitive PII, such as a Social Security card/number, driver’s license information and date of birth, is typically provided once you are hired and is provided through necessary legal documentation like a W-4 and I-9 form.
RESOLVING JOB SCAMS
If you provided your PII to a potential employer or are concerned you applied for a job that is a job scam, call an expert advisor for no-cost at 888.400.5530 or LiveChat with us.
