Job seekers, beware! A tempting job offer might pop up in a text message just when you need it, but it could be a scam.
The FBI reported that Floridians lost nearly $16 million in 2022 to these fake job offers. WINK Security Analyst and retired FBI agent Richard Kolko shared insights on this issue.
A work-from-home job offer with a great salary might land in your inbox, but it’s often too good to be true. The senders aim to steal your money and personally identifiable information.
Personally identifiable information, like your date of birth and Social Security number, is crucial for identity theft. Jordan Rae Kelly, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, has witnessed this scam repeatedly.
“They’ll be looking for personal information,” said Kelly. “They’ll be looking for you to potentially make payment for equipment that might be needed to do one of these jobs that they’re advertising, and they might even ask for your banking details under the guise of setting you up for payroll.”
These offers don’t appear out of nowhere. If you want to verify, visit the company’s website and conduct your own research. Often, scammers create spoofed websites that look similar but have slight differences.
Don’t send money to a potential employer during the hiring process. Avoid providing credit card information, cashing checks to buy supplies, or clicking on any links. Even the HTTPS in a web address doesn’t guarantee security.
Stay vigilant and protect your personal information.
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