Online Job Listing Actually An ID Theft Scam
from the crafty dept
MSNBC has the story of a guy who got scammed by an online job posting into giving away all sorts of personal info, in what is clearly an ID theft scam. Since people are so desparate for jobs these days, it’s not surprising to see them fall for such a trick. Compared to other such scams, this one seems fairly well crafted. However, I’m surprised at two things: why would the human resources director (especially at such a large company) ever give out a personal email address, rather than the corporate address (or, if they did, why would they not also include their corporate email address)? Second, why would anyone agree to such a detailed background check prior to actually having an interview? These both suggest that something odd is going on, but it seems like plenty of people fell for it.
Comments on “Online Job Listing Actually An ID Theft Scam”
Everybody wants your info
I put my resume on Monster a few years back and within 24 hours I was being swamped with phone calls. I literally received over 100 calls within the first week. I went to visit several local recruiters and find out what they could offer me. One recruiter called, said they wanted to see me, but didn’t offer any information about what kind of jobs they had. I went to their office, in a little hole-in-the-wall location and was greeted by a receptionist who asked me to complete a 4-page application, and then to complete and sign various disclaimer forms that would allow them to check my mortgage/renting history, driving history, military history, educational history, credit history, etc.
I told the receptionist that there was no way I would release that kind of information to a recruiter, only to a potential employer, and even though only if I thought it was *really* necessary. She got snotty with me and said that *everybody* had to reveal all this information or they wouldn’t deal with them. I tore up their paperwork (without filling it out) and left it.
Surprisingly I never heard from that *recruiter* again.
No Subject Given
I got an email from a recruiter last year claiming to have a great opportunity for me. He wanted me to fill out a very detailed personal background document before he would talk to me about the job. I passed on the opportunity. At the time it never occured to me that it might be a scam. I just assumed the recruiter was an idiot. Now I wonder though…