Job scams on the rise: What you need to know before you apply

Online hiring scams are on the rise, with hackers using fake job listings to steal personal data. NBC’s Vicky Nguyen breaks down these sophisticated scams and shares what to do if you fall victim.
» Subscribe to TODAY: / @today
About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.
Connect with TODAY Online!
Visit TODAY's Website: www.today.com/
Find TODAY on Facebook: / today
Follow TODAY on Twitter: / todayshow
Follow TODAY on Instagram: / todayshow
» Stream TODAY All Day: www.today.com/allday
About: TODAY All Day is a 24/7 streaming channel bringing you the top stories in news and pop culture, celebrity interviews, cooking, and more. All in one place.
#scam #job #hackers

[@rickyayy]

Imagine struggling to find a job and then lose all your savings. This is the American Nightmare.

[@ThatAlleyCatsBack]

Hey, blame Joe

[@dajourphil0soph3r36]

@@ThatAlleyCatsBack Blame Capitalism

[@blackdiamondMM]

This happens in Europe too where I am so dooh not the President Biden is guilty dooh geez!

[@vmarsfiles]

Robbing an unemployed person is wild ‼️‼️

[@alexisf22]

Exactly

[@rickyayy]

100%

[@Astral_Dusk]

legendary losers that particularly seek out victims at their lowest possibly job hunting for 6-24+ months realistically these days. even with dodging the scam, the time is still wasted and that adds up...

[@Nymeria0]

That’s really scummy. People already down on their luck to have lost their jobs, and they becomes a target for these low lives.

[@gundam12p]

It’s called life !

[@MrsMathews]

The scary part is a scammer can apply for credit cards, loans, and bank accounts in your name with the information they are asking for on these job applications.

[@CarpDM13]

Freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus. It's free, and you can temporarily unfreeze it when applying for a job, renting an apartment, etc. Of course, scammers gonna scam and always come up with new ways to steal. We all just have to remain vigilant.

[@md9710]

No way you can think that if an employer is asking you for money, it would not be a scam.

[@alexisf22]

Exactly I’m not handing over my personal info no sir 😮

[@md9710]

I had applied for a job last week. I did the application online. After I was done with the application they asked a few more questions, they were so personal I cringed and completely exit the application. Don’t feel like given my personal information if there isn’t a job offer. It’s scary out there with all these scammers. Be vigilant!!!

[@kiwifruitkl]

Real companies would never ask for those private information like credit card info or social security numbers. They would ask for your social security number in person and return the card back to you. And you are given the option to direct deposit the money to your bank account, or they will just create a new pay card just for you. No charge. If the company falls short, then it’s likely a scam.

[@sherriianiro747]

Companies cannot legally ask for social security number until AFTER you are hired.

[@VannaMae]

The only time they need your SS is when you are doing your tax forms.

[@sherriianiro747]

@@VannaMae They need your social so that you can get paid first.

[@VannaMae]

@@sherriianiro747 Thats what I mean.

[@alexisf22]

Exactly

[@MizAmeliaTv]

Recruiters are scamming too ! Asking for ssn

[@thriftyko6532]

Those are not real recruiters. Real recruiters never ask for that information.

[@LaToyaTillis]

My job did as they needed to run the background check before hiring. It was a legit position. However, asking for personal info needs to be revised. It can still be a scam with a brick and mortar business as well.

[@Astral_Dusk]

Those are fake recruiters, none of the real ones ask for a SSN. Don't even give the last 4 digits that can be used in all kinds of malicious ID verification processes. Some even have the nerve to beg "oh don't worry, it's safe with us" - kiss my grits.

[@sunshine09944]

this is so true. I've been asked for my address and pushed back to the "interviewer".

[@vickbond008]

Right? I've gone to do virtual interviews only to discover they were more of a group chat with a pitch. I'm so sick of these schisters getting away with wasting my time.

[@WHiTEKiNGofKRAKATOA]

You got the job as CEO we just need a down payment of 50K to get your office setup

[@EconomicWarfare]

😂

[@richieporter5124]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@ReceptiveKing93]

🤣🤣

[@Wongseifu548]

Again another reason why Social Media Sights need more oversight.

[@vickbond008]

Not just social media sites. The job sites need to be held accountable as well.

[@ThatAlleyCatsBack]

Not gonna happen

[@Brownie8986]

All the more reason to not leave your resumé public. It sounds counter-conducive, but that's where they pool a lot of targets for these phishing scams. Use reputable employment agencies as you actively search, go directly to local job fairs where you can also ask questions, and family and friends can help too.

[@alphaomega1351]

Scammers are evil 😈 doers! 😳

[@Rxmexalxne]

We live in a twisted world. This is such a terrible time to live in. People are so vulnerable and people are trying. I believe that people do want to work AND live a stable life where money isn’t a fight to get. I believe that the average American really doesn’t want to ball out from a 9 to 5.

[@citrusswirledfamily213]

If it seems to good to be true or too simple it probably is a scam.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

A French wine company asked me to set up a local office before the entire team arrives. Only pay end of the month, i got out ASAP

[@YourSecretIsSafeWithMe]

Remote job scams. SMH!

[@Ukrainian-woman-of-your-dreams]

Victims of job scams need to go talk and receive help in finding decent local/online jobs from their friends, family members, and neighbors. The job scammers and other evildoers are going to pay and suffer for their malicious/evil actions.

[@LDrosophila]

stop requesting an SSI to apply

[@andreward8268]

No one needs your SSN or Bank Account or Date of Birth

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I can across many recruiters with foreign names, asking SS #, DOB as part of the screening process. I asked them to show me their business license and still refused to continue

[@Astral_Dusk]

Had one request a scan of an ID that could include a passport - good god

[@DestinyAlready]

Loners and recluse don’t have a network to tap into.

[@bernaclischurchill4463]

Honestly, why would you pay anyone to apply for a job. That is so silly.

[@YourSecretIsSafeWithMe]

Maybe they were enrolling in direct payments 😮😅

[@kauigirl808]

I don't fill out any job applications until i go in. Resumes only.

[@MrsMathews]

I think this is the way to go.

[@kauigirl808]

@PeterJ-qo374 I haven’t applied for a job in such a long time I have no idea how it works now.

[@ALROD]

You can see how desperate people are when a "company" hires you without making you go through a strenuous process, or ask for your bank account (how about no?), or even, asking you to pay (ponzi scheme)

[@jesusisdead]

Even real jobs are a scam

[@ReceptiveKing93]

I love how they will tell you your doing a specific job function then tell you something totally different when you get the job 😂

[@derrickconnolly9164]

Wow im absolutely ticked off. I been using indeed. And to find this out is so frustrating. How can this be allowed.

[@marbella7305]

No wonder why I have hesitating I need a job but indeed gives me the creeps

[@AsterNovaNieri]

i encountered it about three times, the first time i was scammed over 6000 dollars, and I was able to spot the second time told the company their name was being used, and the third time it typically involves a fake check

[@JoelleHarmon]

On IG

[@sophiaandrews5849]

Seriously if im looking for a job why would you think I have money to pay you

[@ScreamTatumRiley]

I just got a job that didn’t require an interview they immediately told me to bring my 2 forms of ID certificates and that’s it did the application in house some jobs don’t require an interview especially in nursing

[@mpazinambao2938]

Why would you give away that kind of info?!?!?! Do legitimate businesses ask for that info in America???

[@Astral_Dusk]

they do in the final onboarding

[@willrose5424]

They shouldn't ask for banking info until after the job offer.

[@sawa139]

I feel like social media giants need to be more selective about the ads for jobs they run too

[@josepha.r5839]

People have given SS number, bank account number, and/or give credit card info. to, basically .... strangers?!?

[@xcreenplay7264]

What a time to be alive 😢

[@YouilAushana]

I had this happen via email and they sent me a check to buy equipment. Instead of giving me the equipment. It was a scam to get my bank info. Luckily, my bank blamed me for the scam and closed my account.

[@Astral_Dusk]

Most reach out by surprise, apply directly to actual companies. Verify with HR but there's a huge chance it's already a scam if it came by surprise. I had a few scammers impersonating actual employees at real companies - the actual companies were able to confirm right away, absolutely horrible. Hope the scammers get prosecuted for already leveraging identity fraud to commit more ...

[@itzlovelyT]

Please do your research if that job isn’t listed on the original website don’t apply, call company and ask questions about position you see. Save yourself the headache

[@nancymolina10195]

How do u apply by putting yr own personal account or yr saving bank account? I applied to the jobs website but it didn’t said *u need to apply with yr bank account😥* who do that? U guys should knw better then that, n 🤓read *wisely* before u start to type yr application n adding yr resume too, not yr personal account of social security n yr bank account.

[@vickbond008]

True. I'd say, this so called "report" was stupid. If they really wanted to warn the public about scams and scammers, they should have covered the real fake job openings.

[@gamej7946]

People should learn to keep things about them secret.

[@Wileyg4lify]

You can’t trust no one you can’t trust your email or your phone don’t talk to no one you don’t know

[@unknownuserbutnotabuser]

thing is this is really nothing new - it's BEEN going on since the early 1990's when jobs started being exported to third world countries - the internet just gave the idea more power and more prey

[@JoelleHarmon]

I also got scammed

[@anthonyflores9648]

Red flag number 1: if a person with a India accent calls you, it’s fake.

[@Astral_Dusk]

Yeah, this is legit advice - not racist. I'd rather be safe than worry about the identity politics of surprise recruiters for companies I never applied for.

[@Unknown0human]

Everyone: *go get a job phase* Online: job scams 👍👍

[@allykatt1849]

C'mon folks!!! Wake up! If you fall for this, it's on you.

[@leedebarros7434]

Unemployment is low. What is she talking about.

[@jojothetasmaniansassmonkey8866]

people can be employed and looking for a new job at the same time.

[@djhero0071]

@jojothetasmaniansassmonkey8866 They also specifically interviewed a guy in tech that almost fell for a scam. Tech jobs have been laying off in high numbers.

[@KY-iy2xd]

Stupid is as stupid does. Why why would you give your information? People are so stupid.

[@rl1271]

If the guy has an Anglo Saxon name but speaks in a heavy Indian accent it’s a scam

[@realnapster1522]

You are talking as if there are no American Anglo Saxon scammers. 😂

[@realnapster1522]

Racist much?

[@rl1271]

@@realnapster1522the exception does not discredit the rule. The law of statistics still applies to stereotypes whether you like it or not

[@unknownuserbutnotabuser]

oh and STOP bugging the ftc about this - none of this is the FTCs fault

[@louisejones798]

Amydis fake.

[@chrisdavis6264]

Look- sorry but “spidey sense”??? That guy isn’t a kid…

[@jojothetasmaniansassmonkey8866]

she said it first

[@nunyadambusiness3530]

Oh no! Analogy! So scary. It's a phrasing, how about you grow up & stop acting like a kid. This isn't school, but it does show you didn't pay attention in Grammar class.