Employment scams skyrocketed last year, increasing by nearly 120%. Would you be able to spot one?
The FTC routinely handles thousands of employment scam complaints each year, but that number is rising dramatically as technology makes conning job seekers easier for online thieves.
The Bible warns us about living in a hostile and deceptive world. In Matthew 10:16, Jesus reminds us:
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
This means we are called to live innocently, doing no harm, but also to practice discernment and wisdom to avoid harm—especially in areas like employment and finances.
One piece of advice that’s particularly useful, especially when money is involved, is: “If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.” This simple principle can help protect you from many employment scams that prey on your trust. But with today’s AI advancements, some scams have become more challenging to spot.
Artificial intelligence has made it easier for scammers to generate fake job listings and convincing recruitment messages. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, AI can help scammers polish their “pitch,” making it more persuasive and compensating for language and cultural differences. Unfortunately, victims of these scams lose an average of nearly $2,000.
Here are some of the most common employment scams you might encounter:
Scammers often post these fake job listings on reputable websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job search platforms, making it harder to tell what’s real and what’s not. The rise of remote work since the pandemic has also made job seekers more comfortable with digital-only interactions, but this comes with its own set of risks.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), here’s what you can do to protect yourself:
If you spot any of these red flags, it’s wise to walk away. However, you can also verify if a job is legitimate by doing an online search of the company or person offering the position. Add words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint” to your search. While not finding complaints doesn’t automatically make the job offer legitimate, finding plenty of complaints is a sure sign that it’s a scam.
If you believe you’ve encountered a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additionally, if you found the suspicious job listing on a reputable platform like LinkedIn or Indeed, be sure to report the listing to the site.
By staying alert and using discernment, you can protect yourself from employment scams in a world that sometimes feels like it’s full of wolves. Take these precautions, trust your instincts, and stay safe.
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