Online Job Scams

Ironically, the very features such as global coverage, convenience, and speed that make the Internet convenient for job seekers have also made it much easier and safer for criminals indulging in employment-related fraud.

Until recently, con artists used printed classified ads and cold-calling to defraud job seekers. However, the Net has changed all that. The following are some common online job scams to watch out for:

Phoney job opportunities

Scammers create phoney job advertisements to mislead eager and unwary job hunters. The job announcement requests the user to send personal information. Such phoney job advertisements often use familiar-looking or convincing logos of a company. These ads are then linked to a fake Web site that resembles the real thing. Some such Web sites also charge fees. After a few days, these Web sites are pulled off the Net, leaving the users high and dry.

Online Job Hunt: Safety Measures.......

Hunting for a job is a difficult task. True, the Internet has opened new vistas and offers a different medium to communicate with employers and organizations. Yet, this process is not without pitfalls.

Unsolicited job recruiters

Con artists even pose as job recruiters and send unsolicited e-mail describing job opportunities. Before sending such e-mail, con artists do a thorough search of personal Web pages and résumés on public job sites.

The job scam artists also provide false resources to get personal information over the phone. Be wary of such con artists and remember that no company requires information of this kind before the interview.

Encountering a job scam

If you encounter a fraudulent job ad online or you are the victim of a web-based job scam, report it immediately to the company that listed the advertisement, and also the Cyber Crime Cell of your city.




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