When you are on the hunt for a new job, it can be difficult to know which job listings are fraudulent and which are genuine. How can you protect yourself from bad actors trying to swipe your social or make off with your money?
Veronica Yao, neurodivergent career coach and founder of Atypical Careers, hosted Maria Kumro, who works in the fraud department of a major US bank to help answer common questions from neurodivergent professionals and provide some insight into how to stay safe when job hunting.
Read on for the recap of our Office Hours Q&A session, or scroll to the bottom to watch the full recording!
Tip #1: Take a step back and breathe.
Many times throughout this webinar, Maria emphasized that we as neurodivergent people are more likely to make badly planned decisions when we are dysregulated. Take a moment and try to approach the situation as logically and calmly as possible. When our bodies are calm and feel safe, we are more likely to make decisions that help keep us safe in the future.
Fact: Neurodivergent people have a higher risk of falling victim to fraudulent job postings than the general population.
Everyone wants a remote job these days, especially us neurodivergent professionals. Unfortunately, remote job listings have the highest rate of scams of any type of job post. Due to the overwhelming demand for this type of position and the lack of supply, scammers often take advantage of our desperation by advertising remote positions.
Additional red flags for remote jobs include:
- Advertising a lower wage for the initial training period and a very high wage after training is complete
- Entry level positions such as administrative work or customer service
- Asking for money or gift cards from you
- Anything that sounds “too good to be true,” such as a very high salary or extremely flexible schedule
Neurodivergent people often face financial and accessibility barriers which can lead us into a scarcity mindset. It is critical to approach job applications when we are well-regulated to help avoid fraud.
Tip #2: Apply on the company’s website, not on a job board.
We all know that scams abound on the common job board sites like LinkedIn and Indeed. However, they can be a good way to search for openings across the broader internet. Maria suggests using job boards as a starting point in your search, and if you see something that you’d like to apply for, visit the company’s website to make sure they are actually hiring. A company won’t have a scam listing on their own website. Then, if you find the job listed there, you can apply directly through their website, expediting the process.
Fact: Most remote job postings are scams.
Yes, it’s true, says Maria – she tells us that the supply of remote positions simply cannot meet the demand we see from today’s job seekers. Businesses have often invested significant amounts of money in their physical location and building and want to get a return on that investment. Sometimes, they even have financial arrangements with the city or businesses nearby that involve driving traffic to companies in close proximity. Unfortunately, that means requiring workers to report to the job site in person. The most realistic option for those who desire remote work these days is hybrid work.
Tip #3: Narrow your job search.
This tip might seem counterintuitive – when we’re looking for employment, we tend to want to cast as wide a net as possible so that we have a good chance of finding something suitable. However, due to the prevalence of fraudulent job postings online, narrowing your search will make it less likely that you accidentally send your information to a scammer. Veronica advises getting specific with what you’re looking for out of a job before applying – asking yourself questions like:
- What are your skills?
- What are your boundaries? What is a deal breaker for you in an otherwise perfect role?
- What motivates you to keep showing up to work?
- What is non-negotiable for you in a position?
Having answers to these questions in advance empowers you to navigate your job search more strategically, saving time and conserving your limited energy as a neurodivergent professional. Make sure you tailor your resume for the jobs you find to maximize your chances of receiving an interview. It also helps you avoid roles that would likely lead to burnout, reducing the risk of finding yourself right back in the same job search six months later.
Fact: Any job in the United States will send you a W-2 form to fill out upon hiring.
If you accept a job and the employer does not provide you with a W-2 tax form, either physically or electronically, that is a big red flag. Failing to provide a W-2 form to new employees is illegal in the United States. At best, your employer is engaging in criminal negligence, but more likely, this means it’s a scam.
If you’re not in the United States, consider what kind of equivalent or similar documentation your country has and use it as a guideline to help you determine whether you’re experiencing a scam.
Tip #4: Check Glassdoor’s reports of the position’s wage/salary.
Glassdoor is a great resource to see what current and former employees of the company really think about their job. If you search your prospective position on Glassdoor and the pay rates you find don’t match up to what you were told by the employer or what was advertised on the job posting, that’s a red flag.
Tip #5: Think before you deposit a check.
Fraudulent checks, once deposited, can cause a lot of unnecessary pain and hassle. Here’s a list of insider tips from Maria on how to spot a fraudulent check:
1. The payor is not the name of your employer.
If the payor on the check is an individual rather than the name of a business/organization, that is a red flag. Make sure the name of your employer is spelled correctly and matches exactly with the name you were given.
2. The payor name does not match the signature.
There are two places on the check where the payor’s name is listed and one is a signature. Make sure these both match before depositing.
3. There are two different check numbers.
The check number is listed in two different places on the check: usually the top right and the last digits of the numbers that run along the bottom. If these two don’t match, it’s not a valid check.
4. The payee name is not your name.
If the check is made out to another person, or if your name is spelled wrong on the payee line, it is not a valid check. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fraudulent, but definitely do not deposit a check with the wrong name on it. Even if it’s not fraudulent, the check is not payable to you if your exact name is not on the payee line.
5. The memo line doesn’t have dates on it.
According to Maria, one of the most common red flags for a fraudulent check is the lack of specificity in the memo line. If it doesn’t have the dates of work you’re being paid for, it’s likely fraudulent.
6. The payee name and amount are pre-printed.
Maria says some checks are pre-printed, so this isn’t a definitive tell for a fraudulent check, but many fraudulent checks are pre-printed in both of these areas.
7. The handwriting doesn’t match.
If you see two different styles of handwriting on the same check, it’s likely to be fraudulent.
8. When in doubt, contact your financial institution.
Maria says that it is much easier to deal with a fraudulent check before it’s deposited than after it’s been deposited. If you’re unsure, calling or going in to speak with a representative from your financial institution is always recommended. They’re there to help and Maria says they’re always happy to help someone avoid being scammed. Before you contact them, make sure you have as much documentation as you can to help them assess the situation.
Tip #6: If you think something is wrong, contact your financial institution ASAP.
It can happen to the best of us. Fraud is rampant in today’s increasingly online world. It can feel embarrassing or difficult, but it’s critical to contact your financial institution if you’ve been scammed as soon as possible.
They will not judge you for being the victim of fraud. In fact, Maria says, fraud is so common these days that most banks’ fraud departments are working more than ever on fraud cases. They will understand and will do their best to help.
Maria advises that the financial institution may not be able to recover your money, but the sooner you act, the more likely they’ll be able to do something about it. She says that at the end of the day, the bank will always protect itself first, unfortunately. Additionally, make sure to bring in or send all relevant documentation, including texts, emails, screenshots of the job posting, etc.
It is also important to remember that you will not be in trouble if you unknowingly cooperate with a scammer or fall victim to fraud. As long as you’re not knowingly helping to defraud other people, you will not face legal consequences or punishments for the scam.
With these tips, we hope you can feel a little more prepared to take on the daunting task of job hunting. Good luck!