How To Identify A Fake Job Posting In 2024

Job scams are on the rise.

And as a professional in the workforce, it’s essential that, whether you are actively looking for work, casually looking, or not looking at all, you remain vigilant and aware of these scams and how they pose themselves so that you are not caught out.

In 2023 alone, there was a 118% increase in job scams when compared to the previous year, and since many scams go under the radar, that is not even counting those that go unreported, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s Trends in Identity report.

Forbes36% Of Job Adverts Are Fake—How To Spot Them In 2024By Rachel Wells

Some significant trends that relate specifically to fake or scam jobs were identified in the same report, such as:

• “Identity thieves are improving at looking and sounding “legitimate,” especially regarding job postings. It’s likely generative AI-related,” the report says.
• The state with the highest recorded job scams or other employment-related scams last year was California.

All this news comes at a time when the unemployment rate in the United States has increased to 4.3% as of July 2024, the highest on record since 2021. As a result, there are of course increased numbers of people currently looking for work—snowballing the liability for more victims being exposed to these scams.

How Can You Recognize A Job Scam?

Fake job postings may appear pretty convincing if you are new to the job market or are in desperate need of a job—but that is when you should increase your vigilance the most.

The identity trends report by ITRC noted the following tactics used by fake job posters who are in reality, identity thieves:

“In 2022 and early 2023, thieves primarily used victims’ social media accounts to target not only victims but also victims’ networks of family and friends. In 2023 and continuing into early 2024, we saw an increase in identity thieves creating phony job postings on legitimate networking and job search sites, enticing victims to apply for jobs,” it continues.

“The bad actors created professional-looking LinkedIn profiles, or profiles on job sites, with live websites for phony businesses, or impersonated legitimate companies and used a fake name or a former employee’s name to set up interviews. Once a victim believed he/she/they had a legitimate request for an interview, the interview process was moved off the original platform to email, text, video conferencing platform, or a third-party messaging app. Victims were told they needed to fill out ‘paperwork’ and provide proof of identity—either before or after they were offered a ‘job.’ Most victims did not think anything was strange—we are in a new era of remote work, and using technology to communicate is very normal.”

Do you recognize yourself in any aspect of this scenario?

The next question is, how do you recognize these fake jobs in the first place so that you avoid wasting your time attending “interviews” and handing over personal, sensitive information for jobs that do not really exist?

How To Spot A Fake Job Listing

Below are some helpful tips so you can identify a scam job listing, or a scam head-hunter, before taking any action to proceed with an interview or job offer:

1. These days, many job scammers make random, unexpected and uninvited calls and/or text messages via messaging apps including WhatsApp. Keep an eye out for unexpected calls or messages from people posing as recruiters or talent managers. Some obvious red flags to consider should you receive these include the fact that you never invited them to contact you, never heard of them or their company/agency, never gave them your number, and should you choose to respond and ask for further details, they are vague and evasive in their response and demand prompt action.
2. You may also receive an unexpected email or text message stating that you have a very narrow window of time to book an interview—one for which you had no idea you even applied for. It will come across as very urgent, so that you are tricked into booking the interview without thinking everything through carefully first.
3. If a job advert sounds too good to be true—it most likely is. For example, if the role is entry-level, such as a customer support or back-office function, but promises a $90,000 salary, remote working, and all the benefits you could only dream of with hardly any skill requirements from you—it’s a scam.
4. Be wary of applying for jobs styled “data entry jobs.” Data entry roles are usually targets for scammers as they appear to be quick and easy money.
5. Check company reviews and their reputation. Every company that is hiring should have an online presence as a minimum. This includes their website, social media channels, and Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor pages. If they are nowhere to be found, and there is no contact or address information listed anywhere on Google—that is because they do not really exist and they prefer not to be traced.
6. Only trust websites that have a verified check mark next to their web address on Google. Always trust the advice of your antivirus software and if a site is flagged as suspicious, leave it alone.
7. Finally, if the hiring process includes a request for upfront payment, uses overly casual language with spelling mistakes, or the person contacting you uses an unprofessional email—not a work email—then it is a scam.

Take care of yourself and trust your instincts; by staying alert to these signs and doing your due diligence, you can avoid falling victim to fake job adverts and protect yourself from identity theft.