Most of us are online to work, shop, or browse. Unfortunately, there are also countless bad actors using the internet to take advantage of the unsuspecting. To help combat this growing issue, we’ve gathered some helpful tips below you can use to ensure you don’t fall prey to fraudulent job postings and potential scams.
Check spelling and grammar
One dead giveaway of a potential scam is poor spelling and/or grammar, as well as an unprofessional writing style. If sentences don’t have punctuation or capitalization, or if the spelling is consistently wrong, consider these warning signs.
Required compensation
If someone posing as a recruiter asks for compensation of any kind, this is a major red flag. According to Indeed, no legitimate company requires you to pay to work for them. This includes paying a fee for equipment or registration, buying gift cards, etc. You should never have to pay for a job opportunity!
Vague company information
Fraudulent job listings are often missing important information, such as organizational information. If you can’t learn more about a potential employer through an internet search, or if the results don’t seem credible, you may want to consider applying elsewhere.
Email address doesn’t match company name
Many scammers make up fake email addresses when contacting people online. If the email doesn’t match the company name, is generic, or was created using a free service like Gmail or Yahoo, be cautious. You may be corresponding with someone who isn’t from the company they claim to represent.
They ask for an interview via chat or text
You should be skeptical of interviews if you can’t see or speak to the recruiter. Text messaging or messaging apps are an easy way for scammers to reach large amounts of people to find potential targets. Legitimate interviews should utilize a video or phone call, so you know you are speaking to someone from the company for which you’re interviewing.
Keep in mind, Appen does not reach out to Contributors using messaging apps such as Telegram. We also do not post job opportunities on websites such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Dribble.
Read more about staying safe online here: https://c.connect.appen.com/recruiting-scam-awareness/
We hope this information helps you safely navigate your online job search! Interested in remote work for a legitimate company? We’ve got you covered there too:
- Check out current opportunities with Appen
- If you have questions about our company, you can also review Appen FAQs
