Searching for a job online? Watch for scams

Paying for online reviews is illegal, so don't trust any company that asks you to do it. RÉSUMÉ-FORMATTING SCAMS Criminals may reach out to people on LinkedIn and suggest that they

apply for a certain job. If you send your résumé, the supposed recruiter directs you to a website where you can reformat it so it’s compatible with the company’s applicant-tracking system.

The website requires you to submit personal information and pay for a resume that ends up looking much like your original resume. The criminals are just after your personal details and

money. PREVENTING JOB-OPPORTUNITY SCAMS Job-search websites promise that they’re working hard to chase out scammers. Indeed.com, for example, notes on its site, “We have several teams across

the globe dedicated to the safety and authenticity of the jobs posted on our platform,” and offers tips for a safe job search. LinkedIn, the professional networking site that’s become a

major player in job searches as well, recommends that job seekers take advantage of the “About this profile” feature that allows them to see when a recruiter’s profile was created and last

updated, and whether the recruiter’s email address is verified. “Even with the number of legitimate remote work opportunities on the rise, online job scams continue to be a concerning part

of today’s career marketplace,” says Keith Spencer, a career expert at the job search site FlexJobs. “With this in mind, job seekers should always do their due diligence, especially when

looking for work-from-home roles.” Strouch, who’s working as a bartender while she continues to search for a job in her professional field, says she still gets text messages from people who

claim to be employers, but she’s much more wary now. Often, “I just don’t respond anymore,” she says. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THESE SCAMS * CHECK OUT THE POTENTIAL EMPLOYER. The FTC

recommends doing an online search, using the company’s name plus the words “scam,” “complaint” or “fraud.” If postings from other job seekers start popping up, that’s an immediate red

flag. If the recruiter claims to be from a legitimate company, find its actual website and see if there’s a job listing that matches the one the recruiter mentioned. You can also call that

company’s human resources department to verify that it has someone on staff with the same name as the recruiter. * WATCH FOR RED FLAGS. One obvious sign of a scam is a job recruiter who

quickly asks you to switch the conversation from the job search platform to an encrypted app that makes tracing him or her more difficult, says Hilary Donnell, head of corporate social

responsibility and public affairs for online security company Aura. Typos, misspellings and unusual wording in messages could be hints that you’re dealing with a scammer from another

country. (Unfortunately, new technology is making it easier for criminals to appear legitimate.) * DON’T PAY TO WORK. Legitimate employers don’t make you pay to get a job, according to the

FTC. * BE CAREFUL WITH PERSONAL DATA. If a recruiter asks right away for your Social Security number or bank account information, that’s another warning sign, the FTC says. Don’t provide any

of these personal details until you’re certain a job offer is legitimate. * SEEK ADVICE BEFORE TAKING A JOB. Before you accept a new position, discuss the opportunity with someone whose

judgment and experience you trust. That person may take note of a warning sign that you’ve missed. Learn more about employment scams on this recent episode of AARP's podcast The Perfect

Scam. REPORTING SCAMS If you’ve lost money or you have information about the scammer, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov), and your state attorney general. You

can also report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Not every complaint leads to enforcement action, but the information can help officials to spot trends and sometimes identify the

criminals.  For support and guidance, the trained fraud specialists at the free  AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, can share information on what to do next and how to avoid

future scams. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also offers online group support sessions.If you spot or have been victim of a scam, file a police report.