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Unscrupulous scammers take advantage of job-seekers - and unfortunately they are becoming more sophisticated. Carey van Vlaanderen offers some tips to help spot the warning signs that a job or recruitment offer might not be legitimate.
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Amid persistently high unemployment figures, many South Africans still live in hope that they will find a fulfilling career. But finding the perfect match can be challenging or even dangerous, as unscrupulous scammers find new and sophisticated ways of taking advantage.
Given the number of unemployed South Africans is estimated at 7.8 million and with the cost of living continuously rising, many job seekers are desperate to find any work that could help make ends meet.
Beware cybercriminals
The digital era has revolutionised job hunting, as more people turn to career portals and social media platforms like LinkedIn. While the online job market offers unprecedented access to opportunities, including short-term side gigs and remote work, it also opens up avenues for cybercriminals to exploit eager job seekers.
Being vigilant about potential red flags and having a strong grasp of digital security best practices is crucial at the very outset of the job search process.
Securing your online presence is as important as perfecting your CV. Ensuring your LinkedIn profile and other job-seeking platforms are fortified with strong privacy settings is the first line of defence against potential scams. This includes using strong, unique passwords and being mindful of the personal information that is displayed publicly.
Asked to cough up? Walk away
There is a notable increase in the sophistication of job scams where deceptive tactics often involve replicating job descriptions from legitimate companies, utilising authentic company logos, and sometimes even posing as company recruiters or HR staff.
In more elaborate schemes, scammers might create counterfeit websites and LinkedIn profiles, meticulously designed to mimic official company pages, with the aim of attracting unsuspecting job seekers.
Check them out – thoroughly!
If a job offer or recruiter seems to evade direct questions or pressures you for personal information prematurely, it's a sign to proceed with caution.
Online job platforms and professional networking sites like LinkedIn, are not immune to fraudulent activities as scammers create counterfeit profiles or impersonate legitimate companies to deceive job seekers.
It’s important to scrutinise the profiles of recruiters – check their connections, endorsements, and the consistency of their online presence.
Regardless of an organisation's size, its contact information should be readily available online to allow potential candidates to reach out to a company representative for additional details about the available position.
In a nutshell
Your safety when job-hunting is never guaranteed, but following certain safety tips may help you stay safe while searching for your dream job:
- Conduct extensive research on potential employers and verify job offers through multiple sources.
- Use LinkedIn’s privacy and security settings effectively to control the visibility of your profile.
- Be cautious with the amount and nature of personal information shared during the initial phases of job hunting. Leave your ID number off your digital CV. Legitimate companies will not ask for your financial details for the purposes of a credit check. Never provide your banking login details to anyone or respond to SMS messages that request your one-time pin (OTP).
- Report any suspicious activities or profiles to the platform administrators for further investigation.
- Trust your instincts and remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you come across any job scams or illegal employment activities, cut all communication immediately.
- Finding and applying for the perfect job should be an exciting and rewarding journey, not a situation that compromises your security or your personal finances. By staying alert and informed, it’s possible to navigate online job hunting safely and successfully.
Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO of ESET Southern Africa.
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