Fake job listings are rising as more laid-off workers seek new jobs.
Key Details
- Data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that reported job scams nearly tripled to 104,000 between 2019 and 2021, and the number remained high through 2022.
- U.S. job hunters lost around $200 million from job scams in 2021, a big jump from the $133 million lost in 2019.
- The scams have been floating around the internet but have recently been targeting tech workers as the tech industry has been facing an abundance of layoffs.
Why it’s news
U.S. job hunters have been targeted by scammers posting fake job listings to steal money and personal information.
Scammers have been luring job seekers with fake job ads and even doing a mock interview and screening process before stealing their money and information.
As job listing websites have become more popular, scammers are able to slip fake job listings on the sites and target workers who were recently laid off and desperately looking for work.
Data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows that reported job scams nearly tripled to 104,000 between 2019 and 2021, and the number remained high through 2022.
Online job listing site LinkedIn says in the first half of 2022 alone, it deleted over 20 million fake accounts on the platform and continues taking precautions to avoid scammers being on the platform.
Many people who were targeted say the scammers went the extra mile to make the job look legitimate by creating a fake website and account for the business with followers and plenty of pictures.
Some scammers have even impersonated large brands making accounts or emails that look very similar to the actual account.
The tech sector has been facing big layoffs as Meta, Amazon, and other large companies are letting go of employees. The FTC warns that scammers pay attention to these layoff sprees and change their scams to attract workers that have just been let go from these companies.
Scammers are becoming smarter with their tactics, and job seekers should always be aware before giving out banking or personal information.