For those of us who were around for the early days of the internet, you may recall a strange email or two from a Nigerian or Saudi prince. Maybe you won a sweepstakes that you never entered.

What a surprise when you got notified that a mysterious and vaguely distant relative had passed away, but their diligent lawyer had somehow managed to locate you—their last living kin!

These were some of the earliest scams perpetrated via the world wide web. As technology advanced and users became more aware of these common scams, however, the scammers had to evolve their approach.

While job hunting is already mentally and emotionally taxing, job seekers unfortunately also need to be aware and cautious of these new scams to prevent themselves from being fleeced.

Russell Irby, a human resources expert and professional scam chaser, provided the following information about what to watch out for, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you suspect a recruiter or job posting may not be legitimate.

The Cost of Fake Job Postings

Fake job postings are more than just a nuisance that wastes job seekers’ time—they also pose a real danger online.

For starters, scammers are looking to trick job seekers into handing over personal information like their driver’s license, date of birth, Social Security number, and banking details.

Fraudsters may also pose as hiring managers or recruiters but then ask the applicant to make upfront payments for fake training, background checks, or equipment.

Malware is another concern. Clicking links in a fraudulent job email can infect your device with malware or copy important data, such as login credentials.

Victims of these scams waste valuable time applying, interviewing, and even quitting real jobs for opportunities that never existed.

Identifying Scammers

Scammers may be sneaky, but their tactics are pretty recognizable if you know what to look for. Be cautious if you see any of the following:

If it seems “too good to be true,” it probably is. A high salary position requiring no experience and an almost instant job offer? That’s bait.
Likewise, if a job description is overly vague or unrealistic—like a fully remote, full-time executive assistant for a law office—it’s probably fake.
Pay close attention to email addresses. If the sender’s name looks unprofessional or the email comes from a generic service like Gmail, it’s likely fake. Legitimate companies use their own domain for emails.
Unprofessional communication and poor grammar are usually red flags.
If the process feels incredibly rushed, be concerned. No serious employer will ask for your Social Security number or bank details prior to a formal job offer.
It should seem odd to you if a potential employer is asking you to contact them through WhatsApp or Telegram, because it is. These are scammers after your personal data.

Protect Yourself and Your Data

Here are some steps you can take to protect and reassure yourself while hunting for that next job opportunity:

Check the company’s official website, LinkedIn page, and online reviews. If the company has no online presence, that is probably a red flag.
Be protective of your personal data. You should only provide your Social Security number, banking info, and ID if you are sure the company is legit and you have received a formal job offer.
If the application and interview process was instant or super fast, it is likely a scam.
Report suspicious postings whenever possible to help protect other job seekers and keep job boards clean for everyone.
Lastly, trust your gut. If it feels fishy, it’s probably fishy.

The Scam Buster

Not only has Russell Irby been a human resources professional for over 25 years, but he has also worked as a military police investigator, private investigator, and scam buster.

These days, he is putting his years of experience in human resources, talent acquisition, and fraud prevention to warn others about fake job postings and scammers. As he puts it, “My goal is to protect job seekers by exposing scams, educating professionals, and calling out the con artists who prey on people looking for work.”

You can find Irby on LinkedIn, where he has created the HR Honey Badger persona to warn job seekers about shady recruiters, draw attention to unsafe job postings, and report fake profiles. Follow him to learn more about protecting yourself as a job seeker and stay current on the latest scams.

He also welcomes job seekers to send him information on suspicious profiles or job listings that they have come across so that he might investigate and report them, in the hopes of shutting down a few more scammers.

In the near future, Irby hopes to offer leadership and human resources training to better equip professionals to recognize and deal with these new, online scams.