Conducting a job search using the Internet has definitely
transformed how jobseekers contact hiring companies.
The
availability of copying and pasting a text version resume
into a form at a company's website has laid the foundation
for
an easier and more convenient process. No longer does a
jobseeker need to spend hours with the traditional method
of
printing and mailing his resume to countless recipients.
With the Internet's convenience, a breeding ground for
scam
artists continues to grow each year as well. Identity
thefts have increased to an overwhelming 10 million
cases
per year, and many of them are the result of phishing - not
surprisingly, the employment industry is under attack
as
well.
Phishing is an attempt to extract personal information
through what appears to be authentic emails.
If you are job
searching, an email from a seemingly interested recruiter,
for example, may not raise a red flag with
you. You may
think that the contact person and company listed are
legitimate, yet looks can be deceiving.
Knowing what to
look for and how to spot fraud (or potential areas for
abuse) can be the best deterrent to ensuring
you have a safe
experience while conducting your job search.
BE LEERY OF SUBMISSION INVITATIONS.
Scammers and
spammers follow the same patterns. Mass emails
are sent to an enormous list of recipients. Not everyone on
the
"hit list" is searching for a new job; however, only a
small number of people need to be convinced, or tricked into
believing,
the email is authentic in order for the scam to
be deemed successful. Receiving an email from a recruiter
who
states, "We saw your resume on the Internet, and we find
your skill set to be perfect for one of our clients. Please
complete
our online application through the below link."
Ask yourself a series of questions: Did you send your
resume to
this recruiter? Visit the company's website (type
the web address into your browser, avoid clicking the link
in
the email); upon further examination are they reputable?
How did they hear about you? Call the company if necessary.
Always
proceed with caution when you receive a cold-contact
email from someone.
AVOID RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL
INFORMATION, SUCH
AS SOCIAL SECURITY OR CREDIT CARD NUMBER.
Let's say you receive an email from what appears to be a
well-known
job bank. The email states that your account
needs your contact and payment information to be updated in
order
for service renewal. You click on the link and you're
taken to a page that looks, feels, and "smells" right.
You
proceed by submitting the requested information.
The link appeared safe, but you were taken to a site
designed
to defraud you. Reputable companies will rarely
ask for personal information via email so examine every
incoming
email for validity.
WHEN PURCHASING FROM A RESUME WRITING OR RESUME SUBMISSION
SERVICE, FOR EXAMPLE, ENSURE INFORMATION
IS ENCRYPTED UPON
HITTING SUBMIT.
Encryption, in short, ensures the private information you
submit online is kept
safe. When at your browser, you can
recognize an encrypted form when the root URL starts with
"https:" instead
of "http:" or seeing the padlock present in
the bottom right corner of your screen. Purchasing from
companies
having added security measures in place can ensure
your private information avoids the hands of ill-willed
people.
Learn more about encryption by reading Jeff Tyson's
article titled, "How Encryption Works," at howstuffworks.com
<
http://www.howstuffworks.com/>.
READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PRIVACY POLICY OF SITES YOU PATRON.
The Better Business Bureau possesses a strict
policy for
members who do business online. A privacy statement must be
displayed on the company's website, no
exceptions. High
business practices are a necessity for maintaining the trust
of online buyers; and the BBB understands
the critical
importance of trust among consumers.
A privacy statement outlines what type of customer
information
is collected and how it's used. Alliances and
partnerships, for example, arrange for Company A to sell or
pass
on client information to Company B. The information
transferred or sold could be basic, like name and email
address,
or far more in-depth like name, address, social
security number, and phone number. No matter how basic or
detailed
the information, the company must have the
logistics spelled out in their privacy policy.
TELL!
Reports show
an estimated 80% of online fraud goes
unreported. If the proper authorities aren't aware of the
magnitude of fraud
that actually exists on the Internet,
then getting the much-needed funds to battle the problem
will take more time.
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center
(ifccfbi.gov) has an online complaint feature for
individuals to report phishing
attacks. The IFCC report
process requires basic information, including information on
the perpetrator and type
of fraud.
In addition to filing a complaint, forward the fraudulent
email to the legitimate company. Phishing
is smearing the
good names of countless companies, and notifying the company
about the scam can also help the fight.
Companies being
brought onboard will ensure well-rounded efforts to this
epidemic.
Avoid giving your information
out freely. Whether you're at
the end of a phishing attack or the job application requires
more information than
you're willing to provide, proceed
with caution. Much like you'll analyze job opportunities;
intensely examine
each person who receives your personal
information. With safe online practices, you'll get the
best return from
your job-search efforts - instead of
spending hours filing a police report and calling credit
bureaus and credit card
companies.
