Fraud-proof your job search

With so many people that are active in the job market right now, it's important to stay vigilant in keeping yourself safe from fraud. Our Talent Acquisition team at Prime 8 has heard several reports from candidates who have been recent victims of phishing emails impersonating companies and recruiters with promises of job interviews, offers and even laptops. These criminals unfortunately prey on people that are in a situation that makes them more vulnerable – job seeking.

Here are some tips for protecting yourself from bad actors engaging you around falsified job roles:

◼ Always double check the email address of the sender – you’ll usually know just by looking at it whether it is legitimate or not.

◼ Make sure you inspect any URLs in an email - you should always hover over them to see the real address. If you are suspicious, type the address into your browser manually to follow it rather than risk clicking a link that has hidden scripts or URLs.

◼ Look for odd verbiage, incorrect spacing, and multiple fonts within the same message. If the message doesn’t make sense and you have to read it multiple times, it’s most likely not the real deal.

◼ If interviews or offers of employment are offered upon an initial outreach, BEWARE! While processes vary from company to company, most recruiters and hiring managers will reach out with an introduction email to see if you are interested before requesting an interview.

◼ If something seems fishy, it probably is – go with your gut instinct!