When a Job Opportunity Isn’t What It Seems
Job scams are becoming harder to spot.
I have had several clients encounter job scams. After hearing about this one too many times, I wanted to share a recent experience as a reminder to job seekers:
If something doesn't feel right, pay attention even when the company and the people involved appear legitimate.
A Job Offer That Looked Real
Recently, a client was contacted about a part-time technical writing contract. The recruiter asked for her resume, cover letter, writing samples and salary expectations. Everything seemed reasonable.
Then she received a job offer without ever having an interview. That felt strange to her. Still, the opportunity looked believable. The company was real. The person whose name they were using was a real employee. The offer came on company letterhead, and all communication had taken place through Microsoft Teams.
But some details in the offer didn’t match what she had originally been told. She decided to check. Instead of using the recruiter’s contact information, she went directly to the company’s website and contacted them herself.
The offer was a scam.
Someone was impersonating a real employee at a real company. My client, a tech savvy twenty-something, was surprised by how convincing it was. As she put it, “You always think scams are about winning a million dollars or something painfully obvious.”
This wasn't painfully obvious.
Red Flags to Watch for
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that scammers may impersonate recruiters from legitimate companies to get your money or personal information. Fortunately, my client trusted her instincts and verified the offer before things went any further.
Think It Might Be a Scam
1. Stop
Don’t send money or provide any more personal information.
2. Verify
Go directly to the company’s official website and contact the company yourself.
3. Report it
These resources can help:
FTC: Learn about job scams or report fraud.
IdentityTheft.gov: Get help if you share personal or financial information.
LinkedIn or Indeed: Report the suspicious job or recruiter directly on the site.
Have you ever come across a job opportunity that made you wonder, “Is this for real?”
If you could use support navigating your job search, I’d be happy to help! Contact me to schedule a complimentary discovery call.
