LinkedIn is a social media platform for networking with other professionals, looking for job, and keeping in contact with former and present coworkers. Want every social network, the site has its fair number of members who, given the chance, would like to cheat, fool, and defraud you.
The most common frauds are listed here, along with steps you may take to protect yourself.
Fake Job Offers
Not surprisingly, there are plenty of employment-related frauds on the social network that recruiters and job seekers use the most. With no intention of compensating the people they target, fraudsters frequently utilize fictitious identities connected to real firms and frequently employ the bogus job offer scheme.
These con artists could just be wanting your labor if they ask you to complete chores for them as a part of the onboarding procedure. They could also target independent contractors by offering competitive (some might even argue “too good to be true”) pay. Actually, they don’t intend to pay you; instead, when the time comes, they’ll vanish and move on to their next victim.
Some of these imposters may not stick around for very long. They could just be interested in obtaining copies of your identification documents (such a passport or driver’s license) or simply stealing your personal information, contact information, social security number, or other details to use in identity theft.
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Classic Recruitment Scams
The “traditional” recruiting scam differs slightly from the bogus job advertisement, yet they both function fairly similarly. A phony recruiter will get in touch with you and make you a competitive job offer, but they have no genuine plans to pay you anything.
Because these con artists are primarily focused on making quick money, they will try to persuade you to give them money in order to complete your application, pay for training or onboarding costs, or even to front money for equipment. When you send money, the recruiter will go on to the next person because the trail is now dead.
This con may be found on all social media platforms (including Facebook and Twitter), is commonly transmitted through email or SMS, and may even take the shape of printed materials like posters or bulletin boards. Any unexpected employment offers should be taken with a grain of salt, especially any “work from home” positions.
Related: Best 10 words to include in your Linkedin CV – Philippines
Phishing Attempts
Phishing is the practice of utilizing a bogus online form to obtain your login information (and other details). In an effort to get you to log in to your account with your email and password, scammers will create bogus login forms. Although the prevalence of two-factor authentication has thankfully helped lessen the harm caused by phishing, it is still a popular online fraud.
Particularly LinkedIn job postings may frequently be utilized in phishing efforts. This issue has already been reported by our sister site Review Geek, which also noted that it is often simple to create a plausible job posting under a company’s LinkedIn account and that the verification procedure for new accounts is almost nonexistent.
Some con artists may make an effort to get in touch with you personally by email or instant chat to let you know that there is a problem with your account. They’ll send you to a phony website where you may enter your login information or other sensitive information (for “verification” purposes). Genuine LinkedIn staff would never act in such a manner. Your account is in perfect functioning order if you can log in.
Malware and Remote Access Scams
On the internet, malware is a constant menace. Sending unsolicited emails or communications with the intention of convincing a recipient to click on a link in an email are common strategies used by scammers. This communication may be presented in a way that makes it appear to be coming from a reliable source, such as a recruiter or LinkedIn employee.
Unfortunately, opening the link can endanger your computer. Since different attacks target various operating systems, not all receivers or devices will be susceptible, yet it is still not worth the risk. These fake links frequently lead to ransomware, which encrypts your computer and files and holds them hostage until you pay to get it erased.
Malware is a constant menace on the internet and is frequently used in conjunction with phishing. The final objective of the con artist is to persuade you to click on a link that endangers your computer by either installing harmful software or using a browser exploit. Even if you have a Mac or have an antivirus application running, you should always be cautious about what you click in unwanted communications.
Other con artists employing this method can adopt the standard tech support fraud ruse and insist there are issues with your account or machine that require fixing. When they demand that you install remote access software like TeamViewer, which gives them control of your computer, the deception intensifies. The fraudster might then demand a ransom for your machine and all of its data.
Dating Scams
Any platform that enables user-to-user communication is vulnerable to the complete range of frauds. Although you might not consider utilizing LinkedIn to pursue love, dating frauds are a constant danger. Additionally, it’s a con that most people would never imagine falling for.
However, the con plays on the universally appealing need for friendship that all people have. The con artist may come across as sincere and sympathetic while courting a possible victim with flattery and pretended interest. The con develops gradually, and it may take weeks or months to elicit an opening from victims.
Soon after, the con artist would start requesting money, gifts, or even access to accounts and services from the victim. The scam might look to be a genuine romance, with daily messages and texts, phone chats, and promises to meet in person. This is what makes it so sneaky (that are frequently pushed back or fall through).
Because it enables con artists to locate targets who declare high-paying occupations on their profiles, LinkedIn may be a popular platform for this kind of scam. When someone has extensive expertise in their profession and has progressed up the career ladder into a position of financial stability, it may be obvious from a list of prior roles held by that person.
Things to Watch Out For
There are several tell-tale indications to look out for, just as with any internet fraud. Grammar and spelling errors are the most glaring examples. This may be because the scammer’s native language is not English, but it may also be a strategy for selecting ideal targets who won’t quickly notice any language barriers (and thus are seen as easier targets).
Be wary if someone approaches you with a job out of the blue. Be wary if “simple work from home” postings are put up in public. Consider it a fraud if you’re requested to pay money up ahead for “processing” or training costs for a job you haven’t applied for.
Be wary of requests or listings from shady accounts that mimic real businesses (like Apple or Facebook) but lack adequate ties to such businesses. Simple typographical errors or the addition of suffixes like “Inc,” “Ltd,” or “.com” after the firm name can give the profile a legitimate appearance. Examine the profile thoroughly before engaging.
If someone is approaching you about a job, whether they are a direct representative of a business or a third-party recruiter, you can also conduct a web search for them. Be wary if the name isn’t mentioned anywhere on a business website. To be sure the individual is who they claim they are, you might even get in touch with the business directly.
Last but not least, avoid falling for LinkedIn Premium accounts. Some con artists may try to gain credibility by utilizing a premium account, which anyone can try out for a month for free.
Watch Out for Facebook Scams, Too
The likelihood that a service may attract fraudsters increases with its level of popularity. When the WhatsApp alternatives gained popularity in 2021, we observed this with an increase in Telegram spam and a sharp increase in unwanted communications on Signal.
Another popular site for fraudsters is Facebook, where there are several scams that focus just on Facebook Marketplace. Keep an eye out and always assume the worst if anything seems too good to be true.
