Job scams on trusted job boards like LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Indeed | From Dorms to Desks Podcast | ep74

Job scams are sophisticated and rising 19%, costing Americans $300M. Learn to spot fakes on LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and other trust job search sites. The current labor market, marked by high long-term unemployment and intense competition, is exploited by increasingly innovative scammers who post jobs nearly indistinguishable from legitimate listings, even on highly trusted platforms. 

These complex schemes prey on job seekers’ desperation and fear, aiming to lure them into handing over sensitive data like Social Security numbers or bank account details, or to install malicious software via deceptive links. On this episode of the From Dorms to Desk Podcast, we discuss how online job scams have risen significantly, costing Americans nearly $300 million this year, with a typical victim losing around $2,000. 

The vulnerability is high because the data contained in a résumé or provided during an interview is highly valuable and can be monetized over time. We share real-life stories, including how tech-savvy individuals were fooled until they noticed subtle red flags, such as slightly incorrect email domain names or bizarre recruiter behavior, and discuss associated financial traps like the fraudulent check scam for remote equipment purchases.

To combat this threat, job seekers must remain extremely vigilant and look for warnings like alleged recruiters with little activity, immediate pressure to move conversations to third-party platforms like WhatsApp, or requests for personal information early in the process. College Recruiter enhances candidate security by requiring all job postings to be paid for by the employer, creating a financial barrier that deters fake employers who tend to gravitate to sites that don’t require payment, a crucial step likened to locking your front door.