More and more scammers are going after job seekers. The losses are huge: $90 million in 2020 shot up to $500 billion last year, that is according to the FTC data.
While some of these fraudsters use deepfake videos, the good news is that keeping yourself safe doesn’t have to be complicated or high-tech.
What these scams are really after is your identity. They often begin with an offer that looks like a real job, usually sent through a LinkedIn message that seems pretty legit. Before you know it, the scammer will ask for things like a driver’s license, which they can then use to rack up credit cards or loans in your name.
While AI tools are helping some businesses combat these schemes, many individuals are turning to more straightforward tactics. Professionals have started relying on social engineering methods to confirm if an interaction is real.
With trust in short supply these days, people are becoming more creative in verifying identities. It could be as simple as requesting a follow-up email during a phone call, asking for a selfie with a timestamp, or even checking social media messages to ensure the sender is who they claim. Some also use secret phrases with family or colleagues to make sure they’re not being deceived.
These methods are surprisingly effective. Both recruiters and job seekers are adopting these strategies regularly. For example, during a legitimate interview, you might be asked random questions — such as the name of a local coffee shop — to verify that you live where you say you do.
Another helpful tactic involves asking the other party to take a live photo of their device during a video call, which can help reveal whether deepfake software is in use.
Experts stress that deepfakes are making it easier for scammers to impersonate anyone, including friends or family. If you receive an unexpected request for financial help, always use another method to verify the person’s identity. More individuals are also creating secret codewords to confirm when someone is truly in distress.
While unsolicited job offers could be legitimate, they should still raise caution. Always contact the company’s HR department directly using the contact details on their official website to confirm the offer before sharing any personal information.
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