How to Avoid Job Scams: Red Flags and Tips from 7 On Your Side

Rise of Job Scams

• ⚠️ Nearly one in three Americans report receiving job scams via text message.
• 📈 Email job scams alone rose 60% in one month this summer, contributing to an estimated $12 billion annual loss to fraud.
• 🚀 Employment-related scams saw a staggering 1,000% increase over a three-month period (May, June, July), particularly affecting recent graduates.

Common Red Flags

• 💰 The number one red flag is being asked to make an upfront payment for equipment, training, or a phone, with a promise of reimbursement that never materializes. Remember, you should never have to pay money to earn money.
• 💸 Another common tactic is the bad check scam, where you're asked to cash a check, forward a portion back, and then the check bounces, leaving you out of pocket.
• 🌍 Be wary of phone numbers from out of the country (e.g., +62) or requests to communicate via WhatsApp.
• ✨ Offers that seem too good to be true, such as daily pay up to $1,150 for minimal work with no experience, flexible hours, and paid vacation, are strong indicators of a scam.

Evolving Scam Tactics

• 🤖 A new trend involves using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to employ keywords that precisely match job seekers' interests, making offers seem more credible.
• 🔍 Experts at McAfee note that AI can customize scams using terms like "resume," "recruiter," and benefits-related keywords (e.g., "maternity," "paternity") to target specific demographics and locations.

Protecting Yourself

• 🛡️ Services like McAfee's Scam Detector, RoboKiller's call blocker, or Aura's ID Shield can help protect you from these scams.
• 💡 The cost of these services is often less than a dollar a day, which is presented as a worthwhile investment given the prevalence and cost of these scams.