Rothy's’ Post

🚨 SCAMMED 🚨 As if being laid off and months of mental fatigue filling out application after application wasn’t hard enough, I experienced being scammed in a job interview process today. It’s frustrating to share, and I hope this will help others stay vigilant and protect themselves. What happened: I was contacted by what seemed like a reputable company with an opportunity to interview for a job offer that matched my skills perfectly. The “recruiter” was professional, and I did a LinkedIn check of the company and the recruiter. The recruiter requested that I use Skype to fill out a few answers to some prompt questions regarding the position. Ok, seemed different, but maybe Skype was how they conducted video call interviews. As things progressed, red flags started to appear: requests for personal information, talk of “pre-payment” for equipment, and a lack of verifiable contact details for the company. It was when an offer letter and W4 form were sent to my email that I knew it was a scam. It’s a tough lesson, but I want to turn this experience into a learning moment for others. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS: Double-check company details on LinkedIn, their official website, and industry resources, and if the information doesn’t add up, go with your gut. BEWARE OF REQUESTS FOR PAYMENT AND PERSONAL INFO: Legitimate companies will NEVER ask for upfront payment or sensitive information (like banking details) during the hiring process. WATCH OUT FOR UNUSUAL COMMUNICATION: Be cautious if interviews take place on unofficial platforms or if there’s a sense of urgency around sharing personal information. REPORT IT: If you suspect you've encountered a scam, report it to platforms like LinkedIn, job boards, and relevant authorities. This helps protect others in the job search community from falling victim. I’m sharing this because job hunting is hard enough without worrying about scams. Don’t let your guard down, and always prioritize safety in your job search. A WARNING TO RECRUITERS: This scammer used the real name and likeness of a real recruiter, from a real company. If you’re a recruiter, be aware that scammers may try to use your identity, and make sure to keep your professional details secure. To those who have experienced similar situations; you’re not alone. Let's keep the conversation going to prevent this from happening to others. #JobSearch #JobScam #Interviewing #StayAlert #LinkedIn

🚨🚨Please Watch out for job recruiting scams! Job scammers often conduct virtual interviews via chat or email, citing this s due to a high volume of applications as the reason for their method. After the interview is complete, they typically offer you the position with a pay rate. The final step in this scam involves claiming that a check will be sent to cover onboarding supplies or software. Remember, legitimate employers will provide you with the necessary equipment and pre-installed software without any upfront costs. They should never ask you to confirm your bank account compatibility for their payment system. It's awful to see people preying on job seekers in this way. Stay vigilant and always double-check anything that feels off. Protect yourself! #JobScam #FraudAlert #JobSeekersBeware #ProtectYourInformation #ScamAwareness #StayVigilant

🔒 Important Notice for Jobseekers: Unfortunately, scammers have been impersonating some members of our recruiting team to deceive jobseekers. It’s disappointing to see such tactics being used to exploit candidates, so I wanted to equip you with the tools to spot and avoid these scams. Here are three essential tips to ensure your job search remains safe: 1️⃣ Insist on Video Interviews I always conduct video interviews to confirm you’re speaking directly with me—not an impersonator. If someone claiming to represent me refuses a video call or doesn’t match the identity on my LinkedIn profile, consider it a red flag. 2️⃣ Verify Communication Channels You’ll only hear from me through: our Applicant Tracking System (JobVite), my corporate email address or my verified LinkedIn profile. Any communication outside these channels is suspicious. 3️⃣ Never Send Money or Sensitive Personal Information Authentic recruiters will never request payment for training, equipment, or anything else. Legitimate companies will provide the necessary resources if you’re hired. Your safety matters, and your job search should be a positive experience. If you ever have doubts, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to confirm the legitimacy of any communication. Stay vigilant, and best of luck on your career journey! 🚀

The LinkedIn "#Interested" scam is a type of fraudulent activity that targets job seekers and users engaging with job posts. Here’s how it generally works: #Fake Job Posts or Company Profiles: Scammers create fake job listings or company profiles that look legitimate. They post about “hiring” or “exciting new opportunities” in high-demand roles or at prestigious companies. #High #Engagement: To attract attention, these posts often go viral, with hundreds of people commenting “Interested” or “DM me.” This builds a false sense of legitimacy as it looks like a real job posting. Direct #Messaging: Scammers then message those who comment "#Interested," often claiming there’s a fee for job processing, interview scheduling, or access to exclusive job information. They might also request personal information under the guise of a background check. #How to Stay Safe Verify Job Listings: Always check the legitimacy of the job and company by visiting their official LinkedIn company page or website. Avoid Paying Fees: No legitimate company asks for money to apply, interview, or get hired. Beware of Red Flags: Requests for personal data or vague job descriptions are usually a sign of fraud. Commenting "#Interested" might seem harmless, but it can expose you to scammers. Instead, apply directly through official company channels.

This should never be something we should have to do as job seekers, yet here we are... another obstacle in a veritable course that we need to jump through... Knowing many, many people in talent acquisition and being mentored by those who pivoted their skill sets to IT Leadership, I can share a couple of insights: 1. TA professionals who are worth working with will NEVER ask you to set ANYTHING up! They will ask you what works for you and and will get back to you on open times for the interviewer that align. Ideally, they should know something about the team and be able to give you names and backgrounds so you can at least vet the people and verify they work at the company in question. 2. Do your research. It is kind of a given that you want to know a company a bit before interviewing, but times are hard and we are all pressed for our attention span these days. If nothing else, verify the profiles of those you are interviewing with, if not on LinkedIn, then from the company page. It's a pain, but think of it as a background check for your own peace of mind. 3. Watch for red flags at any point of the interview. I'm all for inclusiveness, so look out for entire teams that seem homogeneous. While many of these scams seem to come from foreign places with non-western sounding names, I would advise against any homogeneous company, as even those on "the level" have their own sets of problems that likely aren't being acknowledged, let alone addressed. Other red flags include running background checks before an offer letter that states "pending backgrounds check," poorly worded offer letters, and anyone with an unreasonable timeline, be it too demanding or too lax. Keep this in mind during your job hunt, and keep yourself as safe as possible in the new digital age of scams. I wish you the best, dear job-seeking readers, and remember, if life is weighing heavily, I'm a single message away.

Scammers are getting more sophisticated, especially in the job market. If a job offer seems unusually lucrative or if a company offers you a role without any proper vetting or interviews, it's a red flag. Stay vigilant and always verify the legitimacy of the company. If a recruiter reaches out with an incredibly attractive job you haven't applied for, be suspicious. To learn more tips on avoiding job scams, check out this insightful article from CNBC: #hiring #recruiting #staffing #opentowork

🚨 Hold onto your hats folks, this is one crazy story! I was reached out to by a recruiter for an interview by email. I had no recollection of applying to the role, but maybe I had a while back. I checked the job description and it seemed to align well with what I was looking for. I was asked to connect to them on teams chat to schedule a conversation. I messaged the person and we had some back and forth chatter about my experience and how I could contribute to the company. From there a phone call was scheduled with another HR partner. I received a phone call and spoke with the person in a traditional phone interview. The person seemed excited about my background and said they would be in touch with the next steps soon. The next day, the person called me back saying congratulations we would like to extend an offer to you. A few details were shared over the phone and an email was sent with a formal offer letter. The offer letter was laden with typos and run on sentences. It included some strange details required the new employee to purchase their own technology items, a very very very generous vacation and benefits package, but no details about a start date. At this point the red flags were everywhere. I reached out to several employees currently at the company. One graciously offered to chat on the phone. Apparently there had been many fraudulent invitations to interview and job offers coming from scammers. I share this as a warning to everyone, the scammers have really upped their game. They are not just requesting your personal information, they are putting you through interviews and using actual company letterheads. Please be vigilant and be careful who you share your information with. #jobseeking #jobseekers #jobscam #stayvigilant #becareful

ALERT: Please be aware that scammers often use well-known companies/employers, like Specialized Recruiting Group, to create fake job posts on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to get personal information from job seekers. We value your privacy and will not ask for secure information until you’ve completed a phone or in-person interview. Even then, we would only request this information through a secure system and never through text or social media messaging. If you are ever concerned about information that is being requested, please contact our office immediately at 616.608.9681, and we will confirm the authenticity of the job posting.  To learn more about identifying job scams, check out this blog: https://lnkd.in/dsTknqgs

Job seekers, beware! It's crucial to vet job opportunities thoroughly. Recently, I reported two fraudulent job postings to the FCC. These scammers posed as reputable companies, using identical "scripted" interview questions. A major red flag emerged when they suggested that candidates purchase their own equipment. Remember, legitimate job offers will always provide necessary resources. Stay vigilant in your job search to avoid falling victim to such scams. 🚩🚩🚩 #JobScams #StayAlert #JobSearchTips

LinkedIn is a professional platform where many people connect for career opportunities, but it’s also becoming a target for scammers posing as recruiters or companies offering fake job opportunities. Here’s how to identify and avoid scams while navigating LinkedIn's job market. What to Look for in LinkedIn Job Offer Scams: 1. Fake Recruiter Profiles: Scammers often create fake recruiter profiles with minimal connections, vague experience, and incomplete profile information. Always verify the recruiter's identity. 2. Job Offers Without Interviews: Be cautious if you receive a job offer without a proper interview process. Legitimate companies will typically follow a standard hiring process involving interviews and background checks. 3. Request for Personal or Financial Information Early: Scammers may ask for personal details like your bank account or Social Security number early on, even before the job offer. This is a red flag. 4. Unverified Company Details: Scammers may claim to represent well-known companies, but their profiles or emails lack official branding or use generic email addresses (like Gmail or Yahoo) instead of company domains. 5. Overly Attractive Offers: If the salary or benefits seem disproportionately high for the position or your experience level, it's likely a scam. Practical Measures to Avoid LinkedIn Job Offer Scams: Research the Recruiter and Company: Before engaging with a recruiter, check their profile for a professional history, connections, and company affiliation. Visit the company's official website to confirm the job listing is legitimate. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Offers: Scammers often reach out with unsolicited offers. While recruiters do approach candidates on LinkedIn, unsolicited offers that promise immediate job placements without much conversation are suspicious. Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Never provide sensitive information, such as banking details or government IDs, until you are 100% sure the company is legitimate and you’ve gone through a formal hiring process. Check Email Domains: Legitimate recruiters typically use company email domains (e.g., @company.com) instead of free services (like @gmail.com). If the email address seems odd, verify the contact independently. Verify Interview Processes: Be cautious of jobs that skip the interview process or only require online forms. Most legitimate companies will want to interview candidates before offering them a position. #LinkedInScams #JobOfferScams #EmploymentFraud #LinkedInSafety #VerifyBeforeYouApply #JobSearchSafety #AvoidScams #ProfessionalFraud #FakeRecruiters #LinkedInTips #ScamPrevention #CareerSafety #OnlineJobFraud #JobHuntingSafety #StayInformed