Job Seekers Do You Engage in Risky Internet Behavior

Job Seekers Do You Engage in Risky Internet Behavior Job Seekers Do You Engage in Risky Internet Behavior 6Spyware, adware, viruses, phishing scams, and job scams- if you’re engaging in risky Internet behavior, you’ll probably encounter at least one, and perhaps several of these nasty things.   Job scams are of particular interest to the team at , because our mission is to help job seekers  avoid  job scams by creating a safe space to search for legitimate telecommuting and flexible jobs.   So, if you’re searching for a job online, how can you stay safe and avoid risky Internet behaviors that place you in harm’s way?   As far back as 2006, the FBI warned people about the  dangers of job scams, work-from-home included. Ten  years later, the warning signs the FBI listed, and the advice it gave, are still very much applicable in today’s online job market.   The only difference? Today, scammers trap people in  even more sophisticated ways.   Is it possible that YOU engage in risky job search Internet behaviors that expose you to scams? Some of the most common risky Internet behaviors related to job searching include: Posting your entire resume online:  Too many details, like your home address or phone number, leave you open to scams. Providing personal information:  Before you’ve even been offered a job, scam employers will often ask for info like your bank account or credit card numbers, social security number, a scan of your driver’s license, or other sensitive data.   Taking jobs that seem easy:  If you want to make quick cash online, there are plenty of scammers waiting to take advantage of you. Moving money through wire transfers, reshipping products, assembling crafts- these are all  typical “easy money” scam jobs. Accepting job offers without an interview:  Scammers sometimes offer a job right up front, without any application process or screening interviews.   Accepting job offers from out of the blue:  Scammers also  contact people through LinkedIn  and other sites to offer them a job, even when they haven’t applied for one.   Not doing enough research on a company before taking a job:  Job seekers need to do a good amount of company research to determine whether they’re dealing with a legitimate or fake employer. Ignoring a “gut feeling” that something just isn’t right:  Logically, most of us are fairly good at detecting unusual situations or strange behavior. But when you’re searching from a job, you may ignore the signs that something is amiss because you  really  want/need a job.   To stay away from job scams, and be able to spot those that come your way, here are some quick tips: Know the latest job scams. On the blog, we have a whole section dedicated to news and information related to job scams. Check out our  Avoiding Job Scams  blog category to learn the latest job scams, such as  reshipping scams,  bogus Post Office jobs, and  seasonal or holiday job scams. Use the best keywords.   Don’t search  work-from-home or work-at-home jobs because those phrases are commonly used by scammers. Instead, use good  job search keywords  like telecommuting job, virtual job, and remote job, which are far more likely to be used by legitimate employers. Trust your research and your gut. Research each company extensively  before interviewing for a job or accepting an offer. And at any point along the way, if something seems too good to be true, or gives you pause, pay attention to those feelings and proceed with extreme caution. Use for a guaranteed scam-free job search. Our team of researchers screens every job and company before its  posted to our site to identify and remove scam jobs before our job seekers are exposed. Searching for a job on means you’ll find only  legitimate, professional-level listings. You’ll save time and won’t have to worry about job scams. Readers, have you been avoiding risky Internet behavior in your online job search? Do you think you’ve ever seen a job scam? Share your story in the comments section! Sara  Sutton  contributed to this post.