How to identify a Phishing Scam?

Fake Job Scams

Learn how to recognize and avoid common online scams designed to steal money or your identity.

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Warning Signs

  • A job offer from an unexpected source.
  • The email address is not from the company or is misspelled​. Note that an email address that is from the company is not necessarily proof of the message's authenticity, since email addresses can easily be forged or "spoofed" by scammers.
  • The company name is unknown.
  • The job requires you to handle money.
  • You are asked to place orders.
  • Someone asks you to print checks and overnight the checks.
  • You are depositing checks.
  • You are asked to reship items.
  • You are transferring money to other accounts
  • You are asked to purchase gift cards
  • You are asked to convert cash into bitcoin
  • You are using your bank account or opening up new accounts
  • It seems too good to be true.  A good question to ask yourself is: Why would someone pay me this much to do something they could do themselves?
  • Scammers may impersonate someone at Broward College, like a professor or a supervisor. Exercise caution whenever you receive an unexpected job offer from someone at Broward College. Jobs at Broward College are posted officially through Jobs at Broward College.

Examples of Phishing Scams

Example #1

 

Hello,

There is an ongoing recruitment with Consumer Censure Inc. A side gig job that will not affect your present employment or studies. I tried it and made cool cash.

Benefits:
*Earn $300 or more weekly.
*Zero sign up fee.
*Excellent growth and advancement in survey career opportunities.
*Bonus program.
*Fun to do.

If you are interested you can apply by visiting https://www.consumercensure.com/application-form/ to submit an application and also read more about the job.

Best Regards.

Job Placement and Student Services
Broward College​
111 East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Example #2

My name is Dr Emily Chester and i am offering a work from home position as my Personal Assistant in which you can Earn $500 Weekly. For details and Job description kindly contact me on ( www.ngo11@outlook.com  ) with your Personal email and Mobile Number. This is urgent so contact me once you receive this so i can share more details .

Note (Ensure you get back via your Personal email( Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo etc. and not your EDU email)

Sincerely

Dr Emily Chester.

Example#3

Are you interested in earning $500 or more weekly? Read more and apply by visiting https://acuteconsumermetrics.com to submit an application.

Best Regards.


What Can You Do?

  • Verify the offer by contacting the company or sender directly
  • Look up the company on the Internet, do not use the number or address in the email
  • If the offer is from someone at Broward College, look up that person in the Broward College Employee Directory and inquire about the job by sending them a new message (don't reply to the original message)
  • Look for a Human Resources contact and call them to ask if this is a legitimate employment offer*

* You may be able to turn this into a positive. Tell them that you researched the company and are interested in working for them. Ask the HR person how you can apply for a position.

If You Think You’re a Victim

If you think you fell for a scam, protect yourself by stopping any further communication.

  1. Change any passwords on accounts that were involved in the scam
  2. Contact any financial institutions involved
  3. Make a report to your local law enforcement. 
  4. File a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

The criminal may threaten you or use your identity for another scam. 

Details

Article ID: 137147
Created
Thu 3/17/22 4:13 PM
Modified
Fri 3/18/22 10:06 AM

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Phishing is an attempt to steal your personal information, usually via a fraudulent email message or phone call.