SCAM OF THE WEEK: Don’t Let This Opportunity Knock

Cybercriminals frequently target people who are looking for opportunities.

In this week’s scam, you might receive a text message or email with what looks like real job listings from a cybercriminal posing as a recruiter. The message even includes flexible hours, positions, benefits, and salary. If you reply, the cybercriminal asks you for further information, such as your pay expectations, making this scam convincing.

Then, they direct you to continue the chat through a separate app, such as WhatsApp, Skype, or Telegram. In that separate app, they ask for your personal information. They may ask for your Social Security Number, driver’s license number, or even your credit card number for application fees. The catch is that no real job recruiter will ask you to pay them a fee upfront. The cybercriminals are trying to steal your personal data and money!

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this employment scam: 

• If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be a job recruiter, be cautious. Real job recruiters never reach out by text messages. 
• Scammers will often ask you to reply to them in a separate app so that they can avoid security oversights. Always be cautious if someone asks you to respond to them using a different app or platform.
• Cybercriminals can pose as anyone, including job recruiters. If you receive a job offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Content provided by KnowBe4