Avoiding Online Scams and Identity Theft

If a job offer seems to be too good to be true or if you feel uncomfortable with some of the information requested either decline or proceed with extreme caution. Legitimate employment ads will not ask for any banking or personal information or for any money deposits.

Online Job Scam Warning Signs:

• You’re offered a job without an application or interview
• The company asks you to wire money or asks for your credit card information
• The company asks for personal information like your social security
• You are promised high pay for not much work
• You are told you have to pay for training

Do your homework by checking websites and doing an online search of the company first.

Tip: Check the company name or email address through Google and add the word “scam”.

It is recommended that you do not provide personal information in your résumé, on application forms, or social media sites including:

• Your Social Insurance Number
• Your age, marital status, date of birth
• Your driver’s license number
• Your health card number
• Your banking or financial information, which includes credit card or bank account numbers and any Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).

Certain information may be discussed with a prospective employer only after the hiring process has begun.

Phishing is a term for e-mails, text messages and websites designed to look like they come from well-known and trusted businesses in an attempt to collect personal or financial information. Be extremely cautious when responding to unsolicited e-mails from supposed employers—even if the company name is well-known. Never click on any link or submit any information on a website you’ve been sent by email. These links can lead to websites that look legitimate but are run by scammers who collect your data to commit fraud.

Create strong passwords so that others cannot access your accounts. Don’t use your boyfriend’s name, your pet’s name or your phone number. Strengthen your password by using a combination of numbers, upper-case letters, lower-case letters and symbols like #, $, %, and !