Friday, June 5, 2009

Online Job Scam Alert: FlexJobs Warns of New Phishing Scam Targeting Jobseekers

FlexJobs is warning all jobseekers to be cautious of scammers using email phishing scams to prey upon jobseekers. There is a new one that involves asking jobseekers to fill out a credit report in order to get to the final interview stage for a job.

Boulder, CO (PRWEB) June 5, 2009 -- FlexJobs, the leading website for legitimate telecommuting and online job listings, today cautioned jobseekers to beware of a new phishing email scam targeting jobseekers. This most recent email phishing scam involves asking jobseekers to fill out a credit report in order to gain access to the final interview stage for a job. The phishing email includes a link to a "free credit report" that the employer has arranged for the jobseeker's convenience. Scammers are taking advantage of the high unemployment rate to contact people by email with deceptive offers for interviews and jobs.

Sara Sutton Fell of FlexJobs as guest on CNN discussing part time jobs
Sara Sutton Fell of FlexJobs as guest on CNN discussing part time jobs

We have been seeing an increasing trend in which jobseekers are targeted by online scammers. This most recent job scam is designed to collect sensitive financial information from the jobseekers under the guise of a chance for employment. We are notifying the public to be cautious with any email that requests a credit report or payment in exchange for a job or a chance to interview for a job
CEO Sara Sutton Fell explains, "We have been seeing an increasing trend in which jobseekers are targeted by online scammers. This most recent job scam is designed to collect sensitive financial information from the jobseekers under the guise of a chance for employment. We are notifying the public to be cautious with any email that requests a credit report or payment in exchange for a job or a chance to interview for a job".

FlexJobs recommends looking out for:

 
  • Unsolicited emails.
  • Emails from supposed employers but using free email domains (e.g., @yahoo.com, @gmail.com, @aol.com, or @hotmail.com) instead of one related to the company domain name.
  • Emails from individuals or companies the jobseeker does not recognize, especially if the emails include links to click on for more information or to proceed with the job application process.
  • Requests for detailed personal information, especially social security numbers or financial account details, before a job interview has even taken place.
  • Required credit checks to prove interest in a job, or to get an interview.

For additional information about precautions to take during a job search, read FlexJobs' article on How to Avoid Work at Home Scams, which was prepared for people looking for telecommuting and online jobs, but is important for anyone using the internet to look for a job.

ABOUT FLEXJOBS
FlexJobs is the leading online service for telecommuting and freelance job listings. It gives job-seekers a way to find legitimate, hand-screened jobs quickly, easily, and safely. A member of the Better Business Bureau, FlexJobs screens out online scams in order to deliver users the best of the best telecommuting opportunities in an easy to search, ad-free website. FlexJobs is a free resource for employers to source, screen, and recruit top-notch candidates for telecommuting and online jobs. Learn more about legitimate telecommuting and online jobs at FlexJobs.com.

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[Via Legal / Law]

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