The rise of online job boards, remote interviews, and the overall increase in remote work opportunities in general, do not come without an increased risk of encountering employment scams. They’ve been cropping up unexpectedly and often ー even targeting our own team! ー and we hope this post will help you safeguard your job search efforts.  As a trusted recruiting firm and Team of job-search advisors, we want to ensure your job search is safe and successful. Please know that Clarity, and any reputable employment firm or employer, will never ask you for money at any stage of the job application, interview, or onboarding process. Period.

We encourage you to share this article with any job seeker you know. Here’s what you need to know:

Let’s start with the basics: What is an Employment Scam?

Employment scams are fraudulent schemes designed to deceive job seekers, often with the intent of stealing personal information or money. These scams have become increasingly common and sophisticated, making it harder to differentiate between legitimate job offers and fake ones. Scammers may pose as recruiters, employers, or staffing agencies, and they often target individuals through job boards, direct emails, calls and increasingly so, texts and social media DMs. 

Here are some common warning signs to help you spot scams and avoid falling for them:

Too Good to Be True Opportunities of Offers:   Be wary of job opportunities, and ultimately offers, that promise exceptionally high pay for minimal work or roles that don’t align with your experience and qualifications. If it seems too good to be true, chances are it probably is.

Unsolicited Text Messages:  Texting to initiate contact about a job opportunity from an unknown number is a red flag. They may claim they are from a company that sounds real, but this is not typically the first way a reputable business will contact you. If you’ve already spoken on the phone with someone as part of the job application process and they text you, make sure you verify the number that texts you is a known contact. Check their email signature or contact page on their website if you haven’t communicated by phone before, before responding.

Unsolicited Job Offers:  If you receive a job offer without having applied or interviewed, be very cautious. Legitimate employers typically require some form of application and interview process. This one may seem obvious, but it can also be a strategy to get you on the hook. Even a reply that you haven’t applied could open up a door for a stealthy scammer looking to build connections and rapport before they make a move. 

Social DMs:  This can seem reasonable at first if – for example – you’ve been applying to content creator positions. However, fake profiles run rampant across all social platforms, and it is an easy way for scammers to maintain anonymity while posing as someone responsible for hiring. 

Request for Personal Information: Legitimate employers ー this includes staffing and recruiting firmsー will not ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords early in the hiring process. Be extra  cautious if asked to provide this information via email or a non-secure form.

Upfront Payments: You should never ーand we repeat, NEVER!ー have to pay to apply for a job, have access to job training,  to complete a background check, to purchase equipment, or to register with a recruiting firm. Scammers often ask for payment under the guise of these fees because they can seem relevant and therefore “legit”, but they are not. Standard practice for recruiting agencies however  is that they are paid by their clients that use them to source talent, and never the actual job-seekers. If you’re using a private career coach there may be fees incurred ー which you’d discuss before committing to a service. Do your best to vet these folks, too.

Vague Job Descriptions:  If the job description is unclear or too generic, it might be a sign of a scam. Legitimate job postings typically provide detailed information about the role, responsibilities, and qualifications. In many states, including New York, they’re also required to disclose a salary range. Do your research on the firm if descriptions lack necessary detail.

Unprofessional Communication:  Watch out for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or inconsistent contact information in job-related communications. We all make typos and mistakes, but legitimate employers usually maintain a professional tone and overall presentation, especially when trying to attract talent. If you’re emailing with someone claiming to be a recruiter, you’ll also want to verify that their email address and its domain synch up with a real company or recruiting firm.

Here are some ways to further safeguard your search and avoid scams, even if none of the above has taken place:

Research the Company: Before engaging with a potential employer, do your homework. Look up the company’s website, check for reviews on their site via google & Glassdoor, and search for any reports of scams. Visit their linkedin profiles and other socials to see if there is recent activity, especially if that’s part of their industry. Be cautious if the company has little to no online presence.

Verify the Recruiter’s Credentials:  If contacted by a recruiter, verify their identity by checking their LinkedIn profile and confirming their association with the company. You can also contact the company directly to ensure the recruiter is legitimate, as many companies ー such as Clarity’s clients! ー hire external agencies to vet and qualify talent. 

Use Trusted Job Boards: Stick to well-known job boards and company websites when searching for jobs. These platforms are more likely to have safeguards in place to protect against fraudulent postings. If we do say so ourselves, reputable recruiters can be an invaluable resource as well ー please reach out to us or submit a general application here to be considered for our openings. 

Trust Your Instincts:  We can’t stress this one enough. If something simply feels off about a job offer or communication, and you can’t quite tell why, trust your instincts! It’s better to walk away from what seems like a potential opportunity than to risk falling victim to a scam ー give your gut reactions and feelings credibility when you know something doesn’t seem right.

Report Suspicious Activity:  If you encounter a suspicious job posting or believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to the job board or platform where you found it. This is an easy way to help dismantle bad actors before they impact anyone else, and ideally help them be removed from places they’re trolling. If someone that contacts you is claiming to be from a legit company, but they’re using an email address that doesn’t track, you might let the company know people are out there posing as employees of their firm. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

While we hope an employment scam never befalls you, they are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. Scammers have become more diligent in creating believable narratives and are using more sophisticated strategies. Staying informed and vigilant are the keys to ensuring a safe job search. As a reminder:  Clarity ー or any other legitimate recruiting firm ー will never ask you for money or sensitive information upfront, and we are here to support you every step of the way!