Nowadays, various job vacancies are scattered across the internet, appearing on job portals, social media, emails, and broadcast messages via chat applications. However, this convenience has its dangers.
Many fraudsters exploit job seekers' lack of caution for their own gain. So, always stay alert when browsing job vacancies online.
Signs of a Fake Job Offer
Instead of landing a job, you might end up losing money. That’s what could happen if you fall for a fake job offer or vacancy Here are some characteristics of fake job listings that you should be aware of.
- Too Easy Requirements
- Unrealistic Salary Offer
- Unprofessional Formatting
Legitimate recruiters set reasonable requirements to find the right candidates. If a job listing promises an overly easy selection process with minimal effort, don’t waste your time, just ignore it.
Everyone wants a high salary, but fraudsters often exploit this by advertising salaries that seem too good to be true. If the offer looks suspiciously high for the position, think twice before applying.
Pay close attention to the job listing details. If the format is messy, full of grammatical errors, exaggerated language, or lacks clear sources, it’s a major red flag. Big No!
The overly easy requirements and unrealistic salary offers above can be tempting, right? But behind them, there’s always a hidden scam. Applicants will be asked for personal banking information such as their ATM card number, OTP code, CVV/CVC, and passwords. What’s all that data for? Obviously, to drain your bank account.
Tips to Avoid Fake Job Vacancies
Now that we know the warning signs, let's go over some tips to avoid falling for fake job vacancies.
Check the Company's Credibility
Legitimate job vacancies always include the company’s name. Do some quick research, look up the company’s address, office location, official website, and industry.
What if the company seems unclear? No office? A fake address? Don’t waste your time, just skip the job offer.
Be Alert When Contacted Directly
Recruiting is a formal and professional process, and communication between applicants and recruiters is usually done via email. However, some recruiters may reach out through chat or social media.
That’s why it’s important to stay cautious. For instance, there’s a risk of personal data theft through baiting, a trick that exploits a person’s excitement or curiosity to manipulate them into sharing sensitive information with fraudsters.
Don't Share Personal Banking Data
It’s normal for job applications to require personal details such as your place and date of birth, domicile, phone number, and CV. As long as the employer is credible, this is not an issue.
However, if the job application also asks for sensitive banking information, such as your ATM card number, OTP code, CVV/CVC, or internet banking password. That’s a major red flag, this is undoubtedly a scam.
So, no matter how convincingly a scammer pretends to be a recruiter and asks for your personal banking data, never give in! If they become persistent, such as pressuring you through chat, it’s best to block them immediately.
Finding a job may be easy, but you must stay cautious. Always verify that the information you receive comes from a trusted source. Hopefully, the signs and tips above will help you avoid fake job vacancies. #AwasModus