Job scams can be difficult to recognize. Scammers may impersonate legitimate employers, recruiters, professors or university departments and advertise opportunities through email, text messages, social media and job search platforms, including Handshake and LinkedIn.While every position that is posted to Handshake is vetted, sometimes fraudulent postings make it through.
How To Identify Job Scams
There are many potential signs of a job scam. Be wary if the job posting or email exhibits any of these signs:
- Unexpected job offers: You receive an unsolicited email, text or message offering a job or internship you didn't apply for, particularly one promising remote work, flexible hours or easy money.
- Pressure to act quickly: You're told to respond immediately, accept an offer or provide information before you've had time to verify the opportunity.
- Unusually high pay for minimal work: The position promises significant earnings for simple tasks, limited hours or little experience, with few details about the actual responsibilities.
- Requests to transfer money: You're asked to use your personal bank account to receive or transfer funds as part of your job.
- Requests for upfront payments: You're asked to pay for training, equipment, background checks, certifications or other expenses to secure a job or receive your earnings.
- Fake checks or reimbursement schemes: You're sent a check to deposit and instructed to purchase equipment, buy gift cards, transfer money or send funds to another person. The check may initially appear to clear but later be identified as fraudulent.
- Requests for sensitive personal information: You're asked to provide your Social Security number, banking information, identification documents or other sensitive information before verifying the employer and completing a legitimate hiring process.
- Suspicious communication methods: A recruiter uses an email address that doesn't match the employer's official domain, communicates only through text or messaging apps such as WhatsApp, or directs you to an unfamiliar website or application.
- Impersonation of university faculty or staff: The message claims to come from a UC Davis professor, department or the Career Center. Scammers may use real names, university branding or compromised UC Davis email accounts to appear legitimate.
- Unusual hiring practices: You're offered a position without a meaningful interview, receive vague information about the job or cannot independently verify the recruiter or position through the employer's official channels.
What To Do If You Suspect a Scam or Have Been Scammed
- If you are unsure or believe something is fraudulent, email [email protected].
- If you have already sent money, contact your bank or credit card company right away to close the account or dispute the charges.
- Call the local police using their non-emergency number and report the incident.
- In Davis, the non-emergency number is 530-752-1727.
- File a cybercrime incident report with the FTC if it took place over the internet.