*** Fraudulent Job Postings Warning ***
Common scams, red flags and known fraudulent companies to be aware of:
- Scams requiring sums of money to be received, deposited, or transferred to your account, other accounts, or by wire, courier, Paypal or bank checks, cashier checks and money orders are common
- Scams may ask for personal information to verify your eligibility or for a trail work period; do not share information such as personal identification numbers, or fill out a background check document
- Do not pay money for training in order to land a job
- Scams often play on people’s emotions by offering benefits that are too good to be true such as exceptionally high pay, the option to work from home, or to complete projects that require little time
- Typos and spelling errors are a sign that the job description was not written by a professional
- The email suffix does not match the URL of a legitimate company (for instance - __@archpointgroupinc.com if the fraudulent email address pretending to be associated with archpointgroup.com, a legitimate company)
- Fraudulent jobs have been posted with the following company names; ArchPoint Group Inc, Abco Roofing Inc., Atlas Capital Markets, Allied Textiles Ltd, ACME BUILDINGS INC, ABCDlistings, and others
- Use good judgment; if the job seems too good to be true or involves sharing personal information or getting involved with sums of money, it is likely a scam
Please review the the complete disclaimer located at the bottom of the page.
A Few (But Not All) Tips for Evaluating Fraudulent Job Postings
-
Why is it important to research each job or internship opportunity?
- Find out if the position advertisement and the company that offers it is legitimate
- Find information to help you determine whether the company or position is a good fit for you
- Find data to help you write targeted resumes and cover letters
- Find facts to help you answer interview questions such as: Why do you want to work for this company?
Research the Job and Company
Visit the company web site. If the company in question doesn't have a web site or the web site doesn't seem to match the advertised job, there may be cause for concern. Note the professionalism of the web site. Is there specific contact information? Are jobs and career information actually posted on the site? Does it have an index that tells you what the site is about or does it contain information only about the job you are interested in? Scammers often create quick, basic web pages that seem legitimate at first glance. Lack of pertinent information is a red flag.
Personal vs. Commercial Email Address
A contact email address that is not a primary domain. For example, an employer calling itself “Balston Realty” with a Yahoo! email address.
Exercise Caution When Asked to Pay Fees, or Receive or Deposit Money
Most legitimate employers will not charge to hire you! Do not send money for work-at-home directories, advice on getting hired, company information, or for anything else related to the job. Do not receive, deposit or transfer money, share account information or act as a third party for any related services. There are some well-known internship programs that do require payment to place you in internships.
Find Company Profiles and News Articles
Dun & Bradstreet's Business Directory (previously known as Hoovers.com, a premiere reference directory)
Use Personal Contacts, LinkedIn or other Networking Sites
Do you have any connections to help you find inside information? If you belong to a professional association, they may be able to put you in touch with people who can advise you. Search LinkedIn by "People" and the Advanced Search Fields for "Company Name." Click the "Current Companies Only" checkbox to receive information on people currently listed as employed by this company.
Use Google
Google is an excellent tool to research the company. Search by the name of the company to see what information you can find. You can also search by "<company name> scam" to see if this company has been reported as a scam. Google the employer's phone number, fax number and/or email address. If it does not appear connected to an actual business organization, this is a red flag.
Check with Consumer Services
Two organizations to utilize are: the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission to see if any complaints have been lodged against the company.
Investigate the Company's References
If you are not sure a company is legitimate, request a list of other employees or contractors. Then contact the references to see how satisfied they are. If a company is not willing to share references (names, email addresses and phone numbers), this is a red flag.
Poor Communication Skills
Be careful when an employer cannot communicate accurately or effectively on the web site, by email, over the telephone, etc. If communications are sloppy, how professional is the organization?
Review Payment Information
When information about salary isn't listed on a job posting, try to find out if you will receive a salary or be paid on commission. Find out how much you are paid, how often you are paid and how you are paid. If the company doesn't pay an hourly rate or a salary, be cautious and investigate further.
Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware)
Read all information carefully. If the Opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Just because a job lead appears in a legitimate publication, it does not mean the job or company is, necessarily, legitimate.
-
Follow these safety tips when going on an interview:
- Always ensure it is in a public place and that someone knows of your plans to interview and the location.
- If your instincts tell you it’s suspicious, it probably is.
- Do not feel pressured to give personally identifiable information in an application if you are not comfortable during an interview or during online/phone correspondence.
- Ask to take the document with you to complete and return so you have time to research the issue further.
-
Job Hunting/Job Scams (Federal Trade Commission)
http://ftc.gov/jobscamsConsumer Tips: Critical Tips For Job Seekers to Avoid Job Scams
http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/jobscamtipspayforwarding.htmlIs This Job Real? What Should I Do If I Applied?
http://www.rileyguide.com/realjob.htmlAvoiding Job and Work at Home Scams
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scamsPostal Money Order Security
https://www.uspis.gov/tips-prevention/mail-fraud/Better Business Bureau
https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/12261-bbb-tip-employment-scams -
Loyola Marymount University’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) resources are provided free of charge to employers and to student job seekers. All hiring and compensation for work performed by student employees is handled directly between the student and the employer. Job and Internship postings on Handshake are based on the information provided by the employer or the person offering the position.
CPD cannot guarantee that every employer and posting is a legitimate posting or organization. CPD is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of employment or an internship. It is the responsibility of each student and alum to research the integrity of the organization(s) to which he/she is applying and to verify the specific information pertaining to the job posting. Students and alumni are advised to exercise due diligence and use common sense and caution when applying for or accepting any position. Employers and applicants are encouraged to request reference information from each other as needed to establish qualifications, credentials, and overall fit between the employer and the applicant.
For the privacy and protection of students and alumni when applying to a job online, it is advisable that they do not give their social security number to a prospective employer, provide credit card or bank account information, or perform any sort of monetary transaction.
All job and internship listings are posted at the discretion of CPD. We will not post jobs that appear to discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, disabled or Vietnam Era veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or gender. CPD also reserves the right to refuse to post jobs that do not support the best interests or mission of the University.
CPD staff members are available for consultation on how to research prospective employers. If your encounter with an employer who makes you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, it is extremely important that you proceed with caution as you pursue an employment/internship opportunity. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Career and Professional Development at 310.338.2871 or email careers@lmu.edu immediately, and end all communication with the employer. If you believe you are victim of fraud resulting from a job listing, please contact the local police, as well. In addition, please contact your banking institution if your banking information has been released.
If the incident occurred completely over the Internet, you can file an incident report with the US Department of Justice at http://www.cybercrime.gov/, or by calling the FTC at: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
If you feel uncomfortable about a job opportunity you are exploring, DO NOT click on any links and DO NOT provide any personal information.