With job offer scams, a general rule is that you’re probably right if you think the job offer isn’t genuine.
Canada’s Better Business Bureau reported that in 2019, 14 million victims paid out $2 billion in direct losses to fake recruiters. Further, the problem doubled in 2020 during the peak of COVID-19. Youth between the ages of 25-and 34 were victimized the most. Women comprised 67 percent of complaints. Consequently, 32 percent never received compensation for their work for an employer proven fraudulent.
Job offer is no offer
You may think your financial woes are over. But stealing your banking, social insurance number, and driver’s licence is the prize behind a job offer scam.
Here are some red flags to look out for.
- Why would a company contact you if you didn’t apply for it?
- The offer comes with a high salary, and it seems like anyone is qualified. For instance, a proposal highlights that all you need is to be over 18 and have no experience.
- If the fake recruiter is stating, they are hiring on the spot.
- Free email services. Legit companies will have their domain names in their email address. However, scammers are good at impersonating legit company domain names.
- The fake recruiter asks you to pay money to get the job offer. One tactic is to attach a mock cheque to buy supplies and software or pay monthly for insurance on a loaned laptop.
- They ask for personal information, such as your address and Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Do a simple search before you click on any links when in doubt.
- Type in the company name and “scam” and see if the name associated with the job offer turns up any results.
Additional resources
If you are a victim of a job offer scam, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501). If you have paid funds to a scammer, contact your bank and credit card companies immediately.
The government of Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre has a list of reported scams and provides helpful resources.
