Every year, scammers prey on college students looking for jobs. As these scams get more sophisticated, it can be difficult to tell the difference between legitimate and fake job opportunities. No matter who they come from, always look for the following signs:
Warning Signs of Online Job Scams:
Offering a job that you did not apply for
Job offer sent from a personal email account (@gmail or @yahoo etc.)
Sending you a check to cash and then requesting you forward the money to a third party
Asking during the application process for personal information, like your social security number or date of birth, that could be used to steal your identity
Requesting that you wire money or provide financial information
Requiring you to pay for a credit report or training
Guaranteeing a job in return for completing a form (phishing or malware scam)
Staying Cyber Safe and Secure:
Always be aware of who is sending you information about potential jobs
Research the company, contact information and validity of the offer before responding.