"At first glance, you might roll your eyes at the idea of losing money when applying for a job. (After all, aren't they supposed to be paying you?) But the rise of generative AI and a labor market with people being desperate for work has created the perfect storm for scammers to set believable traps. Between 2020 and 2024, reports of job and employment-agency scams tripled, and the money lost by victims climbed to $501 million from $90 million, Sarah writes."
"Sarah details two heartbreaking accounts of people tricked into forking over thousands of dollars after being hired for what they thought were legitimate jobs. In one case, the company even initially fronted her the money she needed to pay for some software, only for the cash to get pulled from her account after the bank determined the check was bogus."
"The result is brutal. You've not only lost money, you're also back to where you started: still looking for a job. It's another example of how ruthless this job market has been. Résumé spammers mean job postings can receive thousands of applicants. If you're lucky enough to get a call back, it might not even be with an actual human. And then there's the risk that the job posting isn't real."
Reports of job and employment-agency scams tripled between 2020 and 2024, and money lost by victims rose from $90 million to $501 million. Generative AI and a labor market with desperate jobseekers have enabled more believable scams and convincing traps. Scammers offer fake positions, sometimes advancing money for software or equipment before checks are withdrawn as bogus, leaving applicants both cheated and unemployed. Résumé spammers flood postings with thousands of applicants, automated or nonhuman callbacks are common, and fake listings proliferate. Those who feel fortunate to receive offers may overlook red flags, increasing vulnerability for recent graduates and experienced seekers alike.
Read at Business Insider
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