In this episode of “The Job Scam Report,” we are attempting to cover as much ground as possible since there are many new layers to old scams. We know as technology evolves and changes, so will perpetrators’ scams.
Ashley and Jay joined me on another LinkedIn Live to help the job seeker community become more knowledgeable and aware. We discuss more about fake LinkedIn profiles from fake career services professionals, email scams, and more about scam prevention. We provided common solution tactics such as diligent research, sharing “attack” with your network, and scrutinizing term agreements when using new platforms.
Show highlights:
Job Scams on LinkedIn
- Focus on fake profiles of presidential candidates. Jay continues to do great work and service in sharing examples on LinkedIn.
- Highlighted scams involving fake certifications in career services, mainly in the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC) and the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA). We hope more of those members will be vocal in sharing scams affecting pretending to be certified.
- Fake profiles often claim outdated or non-renewed member certifications.
- Networking is essential to verifying the legitimacy of service providers (especially with members of those organizations). “Community” could provide experiences and knowledge for all to grow awareness.
- Impact on college career counselors and potential risks to students.
- Scammers often use outdated certs to appear legitimate.
- Example: Older certifications from 2009 or earlier are listed as credible (yet need to be scrutinized).
-Referrals from your network increase the likelihood of applying to a real job. Referrals or recommendations from familiar connections are better than cold outreach.
- Many scammers use outdated stats and data to seem credible.
- Suggested approach: question the source of statistics and claims.
Mention of the interview with Kerry Tomlinson (podcast to be published soon)
- Kerry is a cyber reporter who has given numerous talks voluntarily. She has spent the last 10 years reporting and researching cybercrime.
- Discussed her participation in more than 45 panels last month.
- Covered her insights into deep fakes and the broader scam spectrum.
Further Resume Scam Prevention
- Avoid sharing resumes with unknown recruiters on LinkedIn.
- Use traditional resume formats for better compatibility with ATS (Applicant Tracking System).
- Resumes should focus on content, not overly elaborate designs.
Technology and Scams
- Deep Fakes and AI
- Discussion on the rise of deepfake videos in job scams.
- Real recruiters should be forthcoming with information, alerting the community to impersonations and fake job postings.
- Encourage verifying the identity of recruiters as a preventive measure through the company directly or the actual recruiter.
Scam Emails and Data Privacy
- Tips on managing scam emails and protecting your data (Check out Ashley’s Google messaging advice).
- Turn off images in emails to avoid tracking.
- Be cautious with free AI tools that alter personal images.
Final Recommendations
- Always verify the legitimacy of job offers and profiles.
- Consider using secure email practices and spreadsheet tracking for job applications.
- Engage with trusted job sites like USAjobs.gov and FlexJobs for vetted listings.
- Encourage open discussions and reporting of scams to diminish their impact.
Conclusion
- Encouraged audience participation in the discussion.
- Emphasized the importance of being vigilant against scams in the job market.
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