Identity Protection - Tumblr Posts
Scammer Red Flags and Things to Look for/Check Against
You’ve probably read my last post by now. Someone tried to scam me out of my identity or money earlier this morning. It’s a plague the internet is facing more and more. As I said before, I’m sick of it, and I’m sure you all are, too. For those of you who are new to the freelancer field or are just new to online job searching in general, here are some tips and red flags to note and use as you deal with digital interviews, so you can keep your identity and your money safe.
1. Has the scammer asked you to use a different platform than the job site or freelance hiring service? While this is not always an immediate indicator of a scammer, it is something that should put your guard up. Most of these sites prefer you to keep with them, so they can monitor your interactions and ensure everything is on the up-and-up. There are many companies that prefer to cut out the middle man, once they find a good candidate, so this isn’t always going to mean the person is a scammer, but you do still need to be cautious. Be especially wary, if they ask you to use Google Hangouts. This platform has no means of reporting scam artists or suspicious messages/conversation threads that I have been able to locate, so it’s an ideal place for scammers to try to herd their potential victims. Try to get them to come to you on the platform where you were initially contacted or a place where you will be able to flag and report them quickly, should it become apparent they are trying to scam you. 2. Have they given you information on the company they represent yet?
If they haven’t, make sure to ask about this, before giving them anything. You need those details to ensure this person really is the representative he or she claims to be. Ask for location, name, how long they’ve been in business, etc. These are details you can use to make sure you find the right company and see how reputable it is as an organization. It will also allow you the opportunity to call the company, once you’ve confirmed it’s legitimate, to check your HR representative or hiring manager is a real employee. 3. Have you checked up on that company? Most companies have their own websites and contact information, and are registered on multiple job searching websites and government websites, since all businesses need to register with the US Government and State Government, when they are established, for tax purposes. Check for these things at websites like the Better Business Bureau and the Secretary of State website for whichever state and town the scammer provided. These sites are designed to help you search for these companies to ensure they are legal and legitimate. Assuming your scammer provides one, you can also review their website for any discrepancies or red flags, like if the address is legitimate, where the phone number leads, if real photos are included from the physical location, whether the site is professionally done or a shoddy slap-together job, and if information written on the web pages contradicts itself. 4. Have you checked to ensure this person is part of the company’s staff (Call the company up, check LinkedIn, etc.)? 5. Have you made sure the company is registered in the state or country the scammer has mentioned? There are many professional sites designed to show these licences and certifications, so you can know whether a company is properly registered. Refer to question three’s answer for examples. 6. Have you checked how long the company has been established? 7. Is the grammar, spelling, etc. degrading over time as you interact? If so, it’s likely this person isn’t a legitimate HR representative, and you’ve pulled them off the script they’re following. No respectable American company employs someone who can’t communicate effectively and in proper English as part of their job recruitment department. 8. Is the scammer not willing to give you basic information, like company location? If so, then he or she is probably a scammer. 9. You’ve only been on for a few minutes, asking easy questions (like location), and they’re already brushing you off, claiming they have other interviews waiting, and they will get back to you with the information. You are supposed to be in an official interview. No hiring manager books multiple interviews at the same time, unless they have staff that are trained and can handle each case individually, before sending the results back up to him/her, so he/she can focus specifically on you. And questions, like specific location, are simple to answer for any experienced HR manager. 10. Is the email account associated with the company they claim to represent? Most scammers use a burn email, an account with random digits, numbers, or names that have nothing to do with the business they claim to represent. This is a big red flag, since most HR people have an email that’s associated with their company or can give you enough information to double check their credentials independently. 11. If they try to get your personal information, like address, phone number, bank info., etc. before answering your basic questions to check the legitimacy of their claims. NEVER give them ANY of these, until you have verified that they are legitimate. If they haven’t to your satisfaction, push back on getting the info you need, before you give yours. It helps, if you explain someone has tried to scam you before. This will make the HR agent more reasonable and understanding, if it’s legitimate. If it’s not, then the comment might throw the scammer off balance as he or she tries to assure you they aren’t another scammer. 12. Is the scammer offering you a larger-than-average salary? This is another tactic many would-be-scammers use to draw you in. While not always a definite giveaway, it is something that should raise your wariness and make you look for the other red flags in this post. 13. If you’ve called the scammer out on their behavior and they pull the pathetic card (AKA an appeal to emotion and empathy to try to justify their position, rather than answer the questions). In my case, the scammer used family ties, claiming to be an upstanding grandfather with five kids and ten grandchildren. That had nothing to do with the company or my questions about the company he claimed to represent. Don’t be fooled by this tactic, and DON’T FEEL GUILTY! This is your IDENTITY on the line. Keep those shields up. Even if you lose a potential job, it’s better in the long run to be cautious and safe, then to get scammed out of your hard-earned money or worse. 14. In the end, if you still haven’t budged, the scammer will try to make it seem like you’ve lost out on a big opportunity. In my case, after 13 happened, the scammer said since I wasn’t comfortable with the interview and felt like it wasn’t legitimate, he would remove all my information from their systems. The thing is, there WAS NO INFORMATION for him to have on file, other than my name and the email I used to contact him. Scammers will use the guilt from 13 and combine it with your greed or desperation for a good paying job to try to get you to reconsider. Don’t let them manipulate you like this.
If you’ve verified you have a scammer, contact the proper authorities. There are a variety of websites you can report to. You can also talk to your local police to get information on how best to handle the situation and who to report the incident to. Most job hiring sites have ways to catch these kinds of people, eventually, but they often require flaggers to notify them, before they know to act. That’s why we have law enforcement and various sites to report and warn about these people. Stay safe, fellow freelancers and net-goers. I hope these tips help you all. ~Omnitf
This is most excellent advice, heed it! I would also add, those facebook memes to find your “such-and-such” name? Frequently have the things used to verify identity (maiden name, street you grew up on, first pet). Think twice before using the real answers or posting your answer for just anyone to see.
Advice for everyone
Please be cautious about the information you discuss in public - especially when you’re drinking alcohol.
Two young men on the train are talking to a stranger, and one of them has revealed enough information that I have his full name, his date of birth and his workplace. I also know that he’s on numerous painkillers (he listed them all) for back problems, and he’s adopted, and his grandma passed away last week.
As a test, using nothing but my mobile phone (and only open source searches), I’ve found his LinkedIn profile and his Facebook account, and - if I were inclined - I could probably give his passwords a pretty good guess.
My job used to involve searching for people online, so I’m especially good at noting relevant details and searching on them, and I’m doing it to demonstrate how easy it is. There are plenty of people out there who have a lot more malicious intent than I do, and who would happily exploit this information, either for stealing his ID, or for blackmail purposes.
Please please please be careful what you say and who you say it to.