How To Protect Yourself From Employment Scams

An explosion of cyber scams targeting job seekers has become a crisis in the last two years. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting unsuspecting victims with fake offers of employment to steal their money and personal data.
This is just another reason why people need to be on their guard against cyberattacks like never before, NINJIO COO/CISO Matt Lindley wrote recently on Toolbox for HR. Job scams are especially heinous because they target people who are in the most vulnerable positions. Job scams exploit people who are already anxious about paying the bills and providing for their loved ones, just as we emerge from the worst public health crisis in a century.
 As with the vast majority of cyberattacks, job scammers rely on their ability to manipulate victims and convince them to divulge compromising information – a tactic known as social engineering. So how do we fight back? Matt laid out four tips for conducting due diligence when exploring a new job offer to ensure it’s not a scam: 

Conduct independent research on the entity that’s offering a job: Always verify the authenticity of a company by conducting research on independent sites, especially government agencies that monitor fraudulent activity. 

 Never pay to be considered for a job. When legitimate employers want to conduct a background check or administer a test, they’ll do so with their own resources. 

 Be careful with what you share on social media. Social media users shouldn’t just be circumspect about what they share, they should also make their accounts private to block prying eyes. 

Always confirm that you’re sending PII or other sensitive materials to a legitimate company or recipient. A reputable organization should be reached through official communication channels. 

For more ways to protect yourself, and to learn why these cyberattacks are still gaining steam, read Matt’s full piece here.