In the US, scammers are targeting students with fake job offers

Although they are, on average, better qualified than their predecessors, young people often find it difficult to find a job that meets all of their requirements or expectations.

These difficulties have not escaped the attention of cybercriminals, who are posting fake job offers online with the aim of stealing money or personal data from students.

This trend is particularly widespread in the United States, to the point of attracting the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. The US consumer protection agency recently published a warning to college students on its website. It advises them to be cautious if they come across a recruitment ad on the internet, and especially on social networks, that seems a little too tempting.

Students should be wary of job offers that promise rapid recruitment to an attractive and lucrative position. This could, for example, be a remote position as a personal assistant.

Cybercriminals often cite remote working or online jobs in their ads because they know how popular these are with young people. Indeed, young people see remote working as an opportunity to earn money while pursuing their studies.

“Many college students look for virtual jobs they can do while going to school, but if a new employer mails your first paycheck before you even start working, that’s your cue to stop – it’s a scam,” says the Federal Trade Commission.

Scammers posing as recruiters often invite students to buy computer equipment before they take up their jobs. They offer to send them a check or make a bank transfer to make the purchase. This gains the confidence of the young hopefuls.

“Then, they’ll ask you to send some of the money to another account. They tell you a convincing story, but the check is fake and the whole thing is a scam. The check will eventually bounce and the bank will want you to repay the money you withdrew. Meanwhile, the scammer will have walked away with the money you sent them,” the Federal Trade Commission explains.

That’s why you shouldn’t accept any remuneration from a future employer until an employment contract has been formally signed. Similarly, you should refrain from sharing your personal details (bank details, social security number, account number or credit card number) with a so-called recruiter. Such data can be misused for fraudulent purposes.

The Federal Trade Commission has noticed that some cybercriminals pose as university professors to bolster their credibility and lull students into complacency. As such, it encourages them to contact the professor in question directly to check the legitimacy of the job offer they’ve received.

Young people are not the only target of cybercriminals specialising in fake job offers. The US agency estimates that fraudulent recruitment ads cost Americans some US$450mil in 2023, reports Axios. – AFP Relaxnews