Personal Finance/Wealth Management

Beware Of New WhatsApp Job Scam

Scammers mimic legitimate recruitment agencies to gain trust

I woke up today to read my messages, and I saw an invite, purportedly from a well-known Finance Recruitment Agency offering me some remote jobs. I was taken aback and first wondered how they got my number or the fact that I had never applied for any job in years.

My curiosity cap went on, and I decided to check the website of the company, if there was indeed any vacancy for the post I was offered. There was none. I was not disappointed, I know that this agency will not normally cold-call prospective candidates, so I just deleted the message.

‘’WhatsApp has become a prime platform for fraudsters to perpetrate job scams due to its vast user base and encrypted messaging system.’’ malwaretips.com

Then by a stroke of luck, I decided to read the current Financial Magazine, and I read how a lady was scammed out of a huge amount of money by responding to this type of message. Read it below if you are interested:

Recognise The Warning Signs

As I mentioned above, there is no serious recruitment agency that will send you an offer without any interview, or at least call you to speak to you. And if you have not sent in your application, then you’d better forget it. It is like telling you you have won a lottery that you have never bet on in the first place.

The package deal is usually impressive, say about £3,000-£5,000 per week, flexible hours that you can actually work from home. Usually, there is no previous experience needed.

There is no specific job description or role, vague customer service officer with various roles.

The scammers want your data. They ask you to send a driver’s license, a copy of your passport, or bank details, as a check on whether you are fit for the job.

“We’re receiving dozens of reports a day, specifically about WhatsApp-based scams copying the names of legitimate recruitment firms, both job boards and recruitment agencies,” Rosser told Euronews Next.

There is an upfront fee, to cover training and development, peculiar to this type of job. Some will lie that this fee will be paid back if you stay for at least three months with them.

The scammers will create false urgency around the job offer. I am also interviewing other candidates, and we only need 4 people. If you are able to pay and start your training, I might start you immediately.

Why Most People Fall For This Scam?

The cost of living crisis has made many people out of pocket, thereby actively looking for work or side hustle. The scammers are aware of this, so they make it flexible and one is able to work from home.

Basic Ways To Stay Safe Online

Beware of any unsolicited links sent to you. Do not open unless you are very sure of the sender.

Always update your software because most software updates take care of security as well. And of course, avoid pirated software.

Use a good anti-malware. This will tend to remove any intruder’s malicious link. Upgrade to a premium one for ultimate protection.

Use strong passwords, and do not repeat passwords for several sites you visit, and back up your data.

Avoid pirated websites, and avoid shiny objects. There is no easy money anywhere, believe that anything worth having is worth working for.

Another related post by the same author:

The Takeaways

Everybody says, ‘we’ve already seen this sort of scam,’ but I think people are not aware of the scale at which this scam operates. Koushik Sivarman Vice president, CloudSEK

• Most job scam offers will only pay crypto on a digital wallet. Ask me how you are able to access your salary.
• Avoid offers that solely use WhatsApp for communication, lack details, won’t interview you face to face or do a video call, and pressure quick action.

DISCLAIMER

Although great research has gone into this post to give the true and genuine substance to it, nevertheless it does not still represent professional advice in any way. Please consult appropriate professional experts about any concerns that you have. It is therefore given for readers’ interest and entertainment only. Thank you.😑

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