Student & Job Scams
Friendly Introduction
Welcome to Scam Wise . This time, we’re speaking to students, job-seekers, and anyone looking for new opportunities. Hunting for a job or scholarship is exciting but can also open you up to scammers who prey on your ambitions. Fake job offers, fraudulent internships, bogus student loan “helpers” – it’s all out there. The good news is, you can outsmart them! We’ll break down practical ways to sniff out employment and education scams before they cost you money or personal data. Whether you’re a recent grad job-hunting or a parent guiding a college student, this issue’s got you covered in a supportive, easy-to-scan format.
Practical Tips for Prevention
- Never Pay to Work or Apply: A huge red flag in job scams is being asked to pay for a job opportunity. No real employer will charge you for training, equipment, recruiting fees, or to “hold your spot.” If an employer says you need to send money (or buy gift cards, etc.) as part of the hiring process, it’s a scam – walk away. Similarly, scholarship searches that guarantee awards for a fee are likely fraudulent.
- Verify Job Offers and Recruiters: Scammers often impersonate real companies. They might email you a “job offer” that looks legit but the email domain is off (e.g., @google-job.com instead of @google.com ). Always verify by contacting the company’s HR or checking their official careers page. On LinkedIn or job boards, confirm that the person contacting you actually works at the company. A quick phone call to the company’s main line can save you from a fake interview with a scammer.
- Watch for Overpayment & Check Scams: A common job scam involves sending you an advance payment (often by check) for “supplies” or as a first paycheck before you start work. They then instruct you to buy equipment or send part of that money to someone else. The check will bounce later, and you’ll be on the hook for all the money you sent out. Rule of thumb: If a job sends you money and asks for some back – it’s a scam. No legitimate job pays you before you’ve done any work, then asks you to redistribute the funds.
- Use Reputable Job Platforms: Stick to known job websites (LinkedIn, Indeed, your school’s career portal) rather than obscure sites or social media DMs for job leads. Scammers post fake jobs on social media or send mass emails (“Personal Assistant needed, $300/week, work from home!”). If you’re unsure about a listing, search the company name plus “scam” or “reviews”. Oftentimes, others will have reported a fake job if it’s making the rounds.
- Protect Your Personal Info: Resumes often have personal info like your email, phone, and sometimes address. Be cautious about sharing even more during the application process. Until you’re sure a job offer is real, never provide your Social Security Number, bank account, or driver’s license . Real employers typically only request SSN and bank details after hiring, during HR onboarding – not upfront on an application. And no legitimate job needs your online passwords or mother’s maiden name; those are likely phishing for identity theft.
Real-Life Scenario: Bogus “Work-from-Home” Job
Consider Alyssa , a recent grad who posted her resume on a popular job site. She was thrilled to get an email from a company wanting to hire her as a remote data-entry clerk at $30/hour. The “hiring manager” conducted a quick chat interview and said, “You’re hired! We’ll send a check to cover your home office setup.” Sure enough, Alyssa received a $3,000 check in the mail with instructions to use part of it to buy a laptop from a “vendor” and send the rest back due to an accounting error. Red flag city! In Alyssa’s case, this was a classic fake check scam . Had she deposited it, the bank would soon inform her the check was fraudulent, but only after she wired $ out to the scammer’s “vendor.” In Baltimore, the FBI noted many jobseekers have lost money this exact way – scammers pose as companies, send forged checks, and trick victims into sending back funds. Alyssa trusted her gut, asked questions, and when the “manager” got pushy, she reported the incident instead of sending money. The fake company ghosted her after she mentioned involving the police – a sure sign it was a scam all along.
Scam Radar: “Task” Scams & Fake Gigs on the Rise
Trending now is a newer form of job fraud called “task scams.” In these schemes, scammers invite you (often via text or WhatsApp) to do simple online tasks – like rating hotels or boosting social media posts – for a quick payout. At first, they might even pay you a small amount to build trust. Then the scam shifts: they ask you to deposit your own money to unlock higher earnings or more tasks, promising you’ll earn it back with profit. Of course, once you send the money (commonly via crypto or payment app), it’s gone. These “pay to work” scams have exploded in 2024 – the FTC reported job scam losses hit $220 million in just the first half of 2024, with task scams being a major driver. College students and remote-work seekers are especially targeted. The tasks seem easy and low-skill, which is the lure. Don’t bite: Any job that asks you to pay them (whether for tasks, training, or fees) is likely a scam, no matter how genuine the testimonials or slick the platform looks. Always remember the mantra the FTC shares: “Never pay anyone to get paid” .
Aura – Identity & Credit Protection for Job-Seekers
Job and education scams often aim to steal personal information. If you’re sending out resumes or college applications, it’s a good time to safeguard your identity. Aura can monitor your personal data (Social Security Number, bank accounts, email) across the dark web and alert you if anything suspicious pops up. For example, if you unknowingly applied to a fake job that was phishing, Aura might catch your SSN being misused or sold and notify you immediately. It also watches your credit for any fraudulent loans or accounts opened in your name. Plus, Aura’s antivirus and safe browsing tools can block scam sites or malware that fake job links might try to install. CTA: Turn the tables on scammers – try Aura’s protection while you focus on scoring that real scholarship or job, knowing Aura’s got your back if any scammer tries to use your info!
Quick Takeaways
- Job offers that ask for money = SCAM. You should never have to pay upfront for a legitimate job or “equipment” – no exceptions.
- If a company hiring you sends a check and then asks you to send a portion elsewhere, it’s a fake check scam . Banks will hold you responsible when it bounces.
- Verify unsolicited job or internship offers by contacting the company directly. Scammers often impersonate real companies with slight email tweaks. Don’t trust – double-check.
- Student loan forgiveness or scholarship “guarantee” for a fee? Likely a scam. The government won’t text or DM you out of the blue to erase loans, and you can find scholarships for free.
- Tool Tip: Use Aura’s identity theft monitoring during your job or college search. It can alert you to fraudulent use of your personal info, adding a layer of security in a vulnerable time.