Avoid text and email scams

Scammers lurk on LinkedIn, WorkSourceWA and other job sites. They often pose as recruiters for companies that may seem real.

But instead of wanting to hire you, they really want to take your money or personal information. Or they want to trick you into opening malicious links. Keep reading to learn how to spot those scams.

Avoid text and email scams

Scammers lurk on LinkedIn, WorkSourceWA and other job sites. They often pose as recruiters for companies that may seem real. But instead of wanting to hire you, they really want to take your money or personal information. Or they want to trick you into opening malicious links.

Here is how it plays out:

Someone reaches out to you about a customer service position. They say they’re a recruiter for a well-known company. They tell you that text or email is the only way they communicate, so you jump on the app or start an email to chat.

After you text and answer some personal questions, you get the job. They even send you a check to set up your home office and ask you to pay them a fee. 

Time to celebrate and deposit the check? Don’t do it! It’s a scam. There’s no job, and those questions you answered might put you at risk for identity theft. And the check was a fake, too. If you deposited it, the bank will take the money back, even if you paid the “recruiter” the requested “fee.”

To steer clear of all job scams:

• Verify job openings before you apply. Visit the official website for the organization or company. Don’t use the site address recruiters give you. Use a search tool such as Google or Bing to find the site yourself. Most company websites have a “career opportunities” or “jobs” section.
   
• See what others are saying. Using an online search tool, look up the name of the company with words like “scam,” “review” or “complaint.” You might find comments from others that will alert you to a scam.
   
• Protect your personal information. Be skeptical of anyone who asks for personal information right away. Legitimate employers won’t hire you before meeting you virtually or in person.
   
• Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know. An honest employer will never send you a check and tell you to send them money. That’s a scam — every time.

Report job scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

If you see a job scam or lose money to one, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general.