IsoTalent Alerts Job Seekers about Online Recruitment Scams
Lehi, Utah, April 19, 2024
By Lane Losee,
In the evolving landscape of online recruitment, job seekers must remain vigilant against a growing threat: scammers targeting platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed. Malevolent actors, masquerading as reputable recruiters for legitimate corporations, are not trying to assist individuals with their job search, but rather to exploit them for monetary gain and personal data.
The modus operandi of these bad actors typically begins with a direct message on known job search platforms, such as LinkedIn or Indeed. If they can obtain a mobile number, they will send text messages as well. Posing as recruiters, the scammers claim the recipient possesses precisely the skill set sought by their purported organization.
Subsequently, victims receive an official-looking invitation for a virtual interview, accompanied by a meticulously crafted Job Briefing guide delineating job responsibilities and perks. However, a telltale sign of deception emerges when these correspondences originate from personal email accounts, rather than authentic corporate domains—a glaring red flag.
Following the charade of a virtual interview, victims are presented with an offer letter exuding authenticity, replete with the logo of the purported company. The illusion of professional legitimacy quickly fades as scammers pivot toward coercing their targets into parting with their finances and personal information.
Victims may receive spurious invoices for ostensibly required equipment, such as computers, supposedly procured on their behalf, with demands for payment via channels like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. False assurances of reimbursement permeate these transactions, ensnaring unwitting and hopeful participants in a web of deceit.
Alternatively, scammers may employ a subtler approach, soliciting sensitive personal information—including driver's license details, Social Security numbers, or bank account credentials—under the pretext of completing purported employment documentation. The insidious nature of these requests lies in their timing, often occurring prior to divulging substantive details about the job role. Acquiescing to such demands exposes job seekers to the perils of identity theft and financial fraud.
Legitimate employers simply do not require upfront fees or equipment payments from applicants. They certainly do not use cash, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal as payment methods. Any departure from these norms should serve as an unequivocal warning sign of fraudulent activity.
At IsoTalent, we are dedicated to assisting job seekers navigate their career paths safely and successfully. In collaboration with local and federal authorities, we strive to provide the highest level of protection against fraudulent recruitment activities.
Below are essential guidelines designed to safeguard you from potential scammers. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. If you have been scammed, be sure to report it (see below).
How to know if you are working with someone from IsoTalent:
- Email follow-up: Regardless of the many ways we reach out to you, we will follow-up with an email from the domain isotalent.com
- Video interviews: We will never conduct an entire interview without turning our camera on so you know our face matches our LinkedIn profile
- When in doubt, call our main number: If you are ever concerned or have any questions, you can always reach our main number and you will interact with a real person. Our number is 877-619-3486.
Other general information on how to avoid fraudsters posing as recruiters:
- Company Verification: Research the company the recruiter claims to represent. Verify its existence through its website, customer reviews, and overall online presence.
- Confirm Contact Details: Ensure the recruiter's contact information aligns with the company's official channels. Ask for an e-mail address, the email domain will ALWAYS match the domain of the main website ie recruitername@isotalent.com matches www.isotalent.com.
- Assess Communication Style: Legitimate recruiters typically uphold a high standard of professionalism in their communications. Watch out for poor grammar, spelling errors, or overly aggressive recruiting tactics.
- Sensitive Information Safeguards: Legitimate recruiters will never ask for sensitive information at the beginning of an interview process. Be wary if you are asked for personal or financial details prematurely in the recruitment process. This is often a sign of fraudulent intent.
- Research the Recruiter: Investigate the recruiter’s professional background via LinkedIn and other relevant platforms. A genuine recruiter will likely have a robust online presence and industry connections, including a profile picture. When interviewing, ask to do a video interview with the camera on. Be wary of anyone who is unwilling to do so.
- Trust Your Instincts: If an interaction feels suspicious or too promising, it's wise to heed those instincts and proceed with caution.
- Scrutinize Job Offers: Exercise caution if a job is offered immediately without a formal interview process or exclusion of the hiring manager. Also, if a job offer comes without formally speaking to someone, this is a red flag. A job offer will always come from someone in an email with the company’s official domain. If it does not, it is likely a scam.
- Inquire Freely: Reputable recruiters should be transparent and willing to discuss details about the company, the role, and the hiring process. Be cautious of evasive or unclear responses.
- Verify Job Listings: Confirm that the job is advertised on the company’s official site or on recognized job boards.
- Seek Advice: Consult experienced individuals within your network like friends, family, or professional contacts for insights into credible recruiting practices.
- Reject Payment Demands: Authentic recruiters never charge candidates for job placement. Any such requests are indicative of a scam. Report it.
- Evaluate Job Descriptions: Be skeptical of job offerings that promise high earnings for minimal effort or do not require specific skills or experience.
- Exercise Caution on Reputable Platforms: Remember that even job postings on well-known sites like Indeed.com or LinkedIn can be deceptive. Always verify that the recruiter genuinely represents the advertised company.
If you encounter suspicious recruitment offers, report it. Scammers want not only to access your wallet, but also want you to feel embarrassment, shame, and guilt for having fallen for their scheme and to not report them. Don't give them that satisfaction. Report them. You may save other less-informed individuals from a similar fate.
In Utah, you can find out more about reporting scammers at the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Each state has a similar agency for reporting fraud. Start with your state Attorney General’s office.
You may also contact the FTC:
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
https://www.airswift.com/blog/recruitment-scam-red-flags
Lane Losee is currently Vice President of Operations at IsoTalent, a full-service recruiting firm headquartered in Lehi, Utah, offering affordable hourly rates, high-touch collaboration with a team of professional recruiters, and tech-backed applicant tracking and screening methods.
Previously, Losee served as COO of Jet Dental, also in Lehi. Losee is a graduate of BYU's Marriott School of Business.
