Remote job scams are on the rise! How to stay safe?

• These scams predominantly target inexperienced job seekers who may not recognize the warning signs
  
• Scammers entice individuals with unrealistic offers or by impersonating legitimate companies
  
• Under any circumstances, candidates should not transfer funds to unfamiliar accounts or reveal their bank/financial details
  

Job scams were always around, but ever since the pandemic and lockdowns, remote job scams have become more common. In the post-pandemic world, many companies have continued with remote work. However, others have called their employees back to the office. Some have also adopted a hybrid model where employees need to go to the office a few days every week. And the scammers are taking advantage of this trend!

Why remote job scams are on the rise

The increase in fake job scams, especially remote job scams can be attributed to several factors.

Lots of people, especially those who got used to the remote working conditions, are now looking for remote jobs because it not only allows them to work from the comfort of their homes, it also does away with commuting and offers a better work-life balance. This is a need that remote job scammers target.

Candidates often upload their personal information such as mobile number, email address, educational qualification, etc. on various online job portals during the job hunt. “Malicious parties can easily pry into such personal details and misuse them to create fake jobs. Additionally, with remote work models becoming commonplace, more candidates are falling for these traps in hopes of an opportunity without much verification,” says Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services, a talent solutions company.

A challenging job market coupled with eager job seekers renders individuals more vulnerable to scams promising lucrative opportunities. Many of these jobs come with the promise of an entirely remote job, with a good salary and healthy benefits.

“The prevalence of online job searching provides scammers with anonymity, enabling them to easily post fake listings that appear authentic. The emergence of deepfakes introduces a new and concerning threat to job seekers in India, further complicating existing scams,” says Manu Saigal, Director, General Staffing, Adecco, a job consultancy.

These scams predominantly target inexperienced job seekers who may not recognize the warning signs. Scammers entice individuals with unrealistic offers or by impersonating legitimate companies. This not only jeopardises the financial well-being of job seekers but also tarnishes the reputation of genuine companies, as scammers often exploit their identities to lend credibility to their schemes.

Be aware of potential red flags

It is possible to identify job scams if you are aware of certain red flags. “By remaining vigilant and aware of these red flags, you can significantly mitigate the risk of falling victim to fraudulent job scams and other deceptive tactics,” says Saigal.

Unrealistic offers: Many such job offers are unrealistic, particularly if they offer exceptionally high salaries or benefits with minimal experience required. Also, employers in foreign countries may not be offering fully remote jobs to those in India.

Fake urgency: Beware of scammers pressuring you to act quickly, bypass standard application procedures, or pay upfront fees. Reputable companies typically maintain clear and established application processes.

Unprofessional communication: Watch for typos, grammatical errors, or poorly written communication in job postings or emails, as legitimate companies typically uphold professional communication standards.

Requests for personal information or upfront payment: Avoid disclosing sensitive information such as bank details or social security numbers during the application process. Legitimate companies do not require payment for training or equipment prior to employment.

Do not fall into the trap

First and foremost, jobseekers must use authentic platforms to share their personal information. Clicking on a random link they receive in email or visiting a job site they have not heard of before is never a good idea.

“When contacted for jobs, they must conduct thorough research on the offering party to validate their authenticity. A Google/LinkedIn search can be quite handy in verifying the identity of the employer/recruiter,” says Alug.

Under any circumstances, candidates should not transfer funds to unfamiliar accounts or reveal their bank/financial details. Jobseekers can avoid these traps by exercising caution and doing their due diligence before responding to a job. Remember, if something is too good to be true, it probably is.