You get an email about a new job opportunity; the employer is interested in you and they just need some more information before you are hired. Take a few minutes to make sure this is a valid opportunity and not a phishing email trying to scam you out of your personal information or finances. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes sneak their way onto job postings, so it’s important to look out for these warning signs.
- Unusually high salary/payment. Does this position pay a lot of money for just a few hours of work or roles that don’t require a lot of specialized skills?
- Asks for personal/financial information. Is the employer asking for credit card or bank information, social security numbers, or a driver’s license number? Do not give this information in the application stage.
- Unverifiable organization information. Is there a valid website? Is the street address a real location? Search online for this organization, or search “organization+scam” to see if others have concerns.
- Unprofessional email. Are there typos or poorly written content? Is there a contact name?
- Suspect application process. Is the interview conducted via text or email? Are they hiring without an interview? Both applicants and employers should have the chance to meet in-person or virtually.
If your gut is telling you something isn’t right, it might be a scam. Contact the Business Career Center if you have questions about a job posting or employer outreach. Review information from UNL Information Technology Services at https://its.unl.edu/safe-computing/ and more specifically, https://its.unl.edu/security/phishingunl/ for examples and resources.
More details at: https://its.unl.edu/security/phishingunl/