Job Application Follow-Up Scam

New Job Application Scam: How It Works

The pandemic left over 40 million people across the globe without jobs, and the situation doesn’t seem to improve. Many citizens continue to file for unemployment, while others look desperately for jobs to sustain their families. As a result, there is no surprise that scammers thrive in this unprecedented situation. Many bogus work-from-home jobs appeared out of nowhere, adding to the plethora of the coronavirus scams that are already perpetrating this month.

One of the newest employment scams, the Job Application Follow-Up, is even sneakier. Let us explain.


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Let’s say you are looking for all kinds of opportunities online. Or maybe someone forwards you a great-looking offer for a promising job that’s available on the Internet. If you’d get it, you’d be super happy. You go on their website, file an application, provide all the details, and press “Send.”

The next day, you receive a message from the company that sounds something like this:

“Thank you for applying. Unfortunately, at this time – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – we are overwhelmed with the number of applications we have received and cannot process them all. To help us screen the most appropriate applicants sooner, please open the following link and answer the questions provided. This will give us a better understanding of those who have applied for this job and who is the best candidate. Thank you. [link]”

If that happens to you, stop proceeding. Never follow up with the requirements, simply for a few reasons:

1. You already filled out an application, remember? Any reputable company would gather all the important questions in one screening process. Ask yourself why.

2. The link that you need to open has questions regarding your personal information, such as Social Security Number (or Social Insurance Number). That is information which no company needs to have before they hire you. You could be a victim of identity theft, created by cybercrooks that impersonated well-known companies pretending to hire.

3. Besides identity theft, the scam could be perpetrated by tricksters who insert surveys within the application process. In this case, scammers receive an affiliate commission from online companies who create surveys and collect data. Their only purpose is to get as many people as possible to fill the surveys. The process they set is automatic once the victims start filling out the ‘application.’

Job Application Follow-Up Scam: How To Avoid

Be careful about what personal information you provide online, whether on job applications or social media. Beware of companies you’ve never heard of before. Type the name of the company in the search engines and add the word ‘scam’ or ‘job’ after that. Check their Better Business Bureau page – if they have one – or contact the company directly using the email address on their official website (not the website you received in the job offer).

In the meantime, if you are looking for a job and seek to make some money online until you find the next ideal employer, consider joining Swagbucks, which is the world’s largest free online rewards program. You get paid by doing things online which you might do anyway, such as searching the web, discover products, take surveys, watch videos, or play games. You can also get free iTunes and Amazon cards. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. You can register for free HERE.

Online Job Offers: How To Report a Scammer

Warn your family and friends about the Job Application Follow-Up Scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here

How To Prevent Identity Theft and More

If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You’ll receive periodic emails – we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.


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selma hrynchuk
Selma HrynchukSelma is a fraud prevention specialist renowned for her expertise in private eye investigations and a remarkable partnership with law enforcement agencies. Beyond her investigative triumphs, her public speaking engagements and written works have empowered countless individuals to protect themselves and stay ahead of deceptive schemes. Selma's legacy shines as a tenacious agent of change, unyielding in her commitment to battling fraud and ensuring a safer world for all.

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