Risks to applicants + Useful tips

While searching for the perfect job, anyone could make fast decisions not thoughtful enough of any undercovered potential risks. And that is exactly what fraudsters are hoping for, opening a window of opportunity they would surely take advantage of!

Especially after the beginning of the pandemic, when people became increasingly interested in telecommuting, Internet fraud grew significantly.

 

In this article, we will share 4 of the most common risks for candidates and how to protect yourself from them.

theft

 

1. Theft of personal information and identity

 

This approach mainly is used to allow access to certain resources by engaging in illegal activities through someone else's identity, and or to obtain credit on behalf of the original holder. If you become a victim of this type of theft, the consequences for you could be serious - financial losses, manipulation, threats…

 

Fraudsters manage to obtain your personal data most often through a resume or if you have filled out an application online.

 

Important:

  • Don't share too much personal information such as a detailed address, ID card number, or bank account when preparing your CV!

 

  • If the interview with the company is conducted online, the background behind you should be clear - no family photos or things that reveal specific information about you.

 

  • Keep notes of who you sent your personal information - you can claim your rights in certain situations.

work without pay

 

2. Work without pay in a non-existent company

 

Many job seekers are deceived by attractive job advertisements that provide high salaries with few obligations. The candidate is approved relatively quickly by the employer and enters the job. After a month or more the employee has not yet received his first salary, and later it turns out that the company in question has "disappeared"

 

Important:

  • Research the company well before you apply: how long it has existed, where the headquarters is located; what activity it is mainly engaged in; how many employees it has, and you could search for reviews and comments from current and former employees. Otherwise, you will very quickly fall into the trap of a non-existent company for profit.

 

  • A red flag could be that the employer is not interested in your competencies and previous experience but invites you to the company? Reason for doubt!

 

  • If you communicate only through chat with the company and there are no other announced contacts - think about it!

Account hacking

 

3. Account hacking/viruses

 

Some scammers use groups for people looking for remote work on social media. Announce a specific position in the respective groups or write directly to specific users. Applicants are required to register on a special platform (once registered, their profile will be hacked). Of course, there are many other scenarios, so you have to be extremely careful.

 

Important:

  • Don't immediately click on the link you see. Think first! Judge! This is one of the oldest methods of hacking an account on social networks.

 

  • Track emails you receive from companies, pay attention to the name - it can be a good experience for imitation (so-called Phishing emails, aimed at your visit to useful web pages and theft of personal data)

 

  • Be careful where you enter your username and password! Don't do it recklessly. There are special programs presented in various forms (example: "Log in to your Facebook account to open the page."), aimed at extracting this type of classified information.

Money Fraud

 

4. Money fraud

 

When applying, the employer should not require you to pay anything - neither for training, attaching a CV to a platform, nor any part of the hiring process. Of course, some people try to deceive those not as familiar with the process.

 

BUT there are paid job search platforms that are paid. Please, be aware that they are completely legal.

 

Important:

  • If the position whose ad you saw through an ad on Facebook or Instagram sounds too good to be true…, it's probably not true.

 

  • Do not agree to pay large sums when starting work - most likely there is a catch, and you will not get your money back.

 

 

Dangers can lurk in every corner of the Internet, so you need to be extremely careful when looking for a job - you are still looking for a job to start earning more money, not to lose your personal information and finances.

 

Remember the tips in this article and you will surely overcome upcoming fraud attempts.

 

Of course, there are professionals among the criminals who definitely know what they are doing, and the fraud cannot be caught at first sight or after an inspection. Therefore, for your complete security, contact BAB Consult, the recruitment agency! We will direct you to honest and proven employers with whom we have built stable professional relationships, work openly with our clients and always give feedback.

 

If you have comments or questions, we will be happy to contact us at info@babconsult.bg

 

“The surest way to be deceived is to think of yourself as more cunning than others.”

François de la Rochefoucauld

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