How to Outsmart Scammers in Your Job Hunt

Looking for a job can be stressful, but landing your dream gig is a great feeling. However, not every job offer is what it seems. With the rise of job boards and remote opportunities, job scams and frauds are more prevalent than ever.

These scams and fraudulent activities can come in many forms, from fake job offers to identity theft schemes, designed to take advantage of unsuspecting job seekers. We aim to provide job seekers with the best job search experience with every visit and continually take steps to protect our users and prevent job fraud.

So, how can you protect yourself from scams? What should you do if you encounter a job scam?

What Are Job Scams?

Job scams are schemes designed to trick job seekers into providing personal information, money, or both. Scammers can pose as legitimate employers or recruiters, offering fake opportunities to lure you into their trap. These scams can appear on job boards, social media platforms, unsolicited emails, or even SMS text messages. The goal of scammers is to steal your personal information, drain your bank account, or all of the above.

How We Keep Job Seekers Informed

We will only communicate with you through an official Sonara email (customersupport@sonara.ai) or directly on our Sonara platform if you’re a subscriber. Additionally, we may communicate with you through SMS text messaging if you opt to receive job alerts and information regarding your account or profile via text message.

We will never communicate with you through third-party platforms, such as Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp, or other messaging platforms.

Common Questions About Handling Suspicious Job Activity

If you encounter any of the following situations, here’s what to do:

1. What should I do if I receive a Sonara-appearing message through a third-party platform?

   If you receive a message through any third-party platform, do not engage in or continue the conversation. Immediately report the suspicious activity to Sonara’s customer care service team customersupport@sonara.ai and the appropriate consumer protection authorities.

2. I received an email from a Sonara email account about a job. How do I know if this is a legitimate email?

   You can expect to see an email from Sonara in the following circumstances:

   • You complete a payment on our site.
   • You purchase a Sonara subscription.
   • You cancel your Sonara subscription.
   • You opt-in to receive job alerts.
   • You opt-in to receive marketing emails.

   We send a “Welcome” email once you’ve purchased a subscription. We also send job alert emails, should you choose to receive them, which provide you with the newest jobs that match your preferences.

   When you are logged in, you can manage your email preferences on the “Account Details” page and decide which emails you would like to receive from us.

   Please note that your activity level on Sonara may determine the frequency of our outreach emails. Generally, the more active you are, the more often we will communicate with you.

   If you receive an email that appears to be from an individual at Sonara with information that appears suspicious or doesn’t feel right, we strongly encourage you to report it to us at customersupport@sonara.ai. Whenever we identify suspicious communications, we work to validate the source, and we constantly invest in new ways to improve detection and keep our users safe.

3. What should I do if I receive a suspicious SMS text message from someone about a job application or offer? How do I know if this is a legitimate message?

   We will never ask you for your password, personal information, or bank account details via SMS text messages. If you opt to receive job alerts and account information via SMS text messages, you will receive job alerts that provide you with the newest jobs that match your preferences, as well as information regarding your account/profile.

   We will not send job applications or any job offers via SMS text messages. Scammers will often send text messages saying they noticed suspicious activity on your account. They may also claim that there is a problem with your payment information. Be wary of these messages.

   If you receive a text message you suspect is fraudulent, do not respond or click on any links. Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (“SPAM”). We also strongly encourage you to report any suspicious activity to us at customersupport@sonara.ai.

   When logged in, you can manage your account preferences in the “Notifications” section on the “Account Details” page and decide for yourself if you would like to receive SMS text messages from Sonara.

   We will never ask for any money to offer a position or for any upfront costs for training, equipment, documentation, or visa fees.

How to Spot a Job Scam

The following scenarios are strong indicators that you’ve encountered a job scam.

Fake Job Postings

• Vague job descriptions lacking specifics about the role, company, or responsibilities.
• Scheduling interviews using WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Hangouts, or similar text-only apps.
• Job offers from personal emails or social media messages.

Job Ad Phishing Emails

• Suspicious email addresses with misspelled company names.
• A scammer impersonating a recruiter or business representative.
• An email containing an invitation for a virtual interview that originates from a personal email account rather than a company account.

Requests for Money Upfront

• Recruiter or employer asking for an investment, upfront costs, personal or financial information, or free work.
• Beware upfront fees for a job or equipment through Zelle, PayPal, etc.
• Beware requests for reimbursement for equipment or training.

Higher-Than-Market Salaries for Little Work or “Too-Good-to-Be-True” Benefits

• Compensation and benefits for a valid job offer should match industry standards and experience.

Pressure to Act Now

• Pressure to act immediately.
• Time-sensitive job offers.
• “Urgently hiring” language.

Job Offer Without an Interview

• No-interview job offers exist, but they aren’t common and could be a sign of a scam. Because interviews allow both applicants and employers to evaluate a candidate’s fit for the role, you should be skeptical of job offers that don’t first require this important evaluation

Job Placement Service Scams

• Staffing agencies, headhunters, and other placement firms that promote outdated or fake job openings, or charge fees for services.
• Recruiters or prospective employers who contact you for a job you have not applied for.

Stay Alert: Tips for Spotting Job Scams

To protect yourself against job scams, take these proactive steps to validate companies and job listings, and keep an eye out for the following red flags.

Research the Company/Employer

• Conduct an online search. Search for the name of the company plus the words “scam,” “complaint,” or “fraud” (Example: “Company Name + scam”).
• Verify whether or not the company has an account with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or LinkedIn.
• Contact the company directly using a phone number you are certain is legitimate. You can go directly to the source (the company’s website) to find their contact information.
• Go to the company’s website to confirm the job.
• Verify the alleged recruiter’s public profile. Look for connections, level of engagement, or any incomplete information in their profile.

Look for a Lack of Professionalism

• Poor grammar is used in communications.
• Misspelled words, syntax, and improper verb conjugation are telltale signs of a scam.

Avoid Paying to Work

• Avoid alleged employers asking you to pay to get a job.
• Avoid alleged employers asking you to perform financial transactions on their behalf.
• Avoid alleged employers asking for you to pay for interview reservations, training fees, background check fees, recruiter placement fees, and/or resume formatting fees.

Don’t Provide Your Personal Information

• Do not comply with recruiters who ask for personal and financial information, such as your social security number, bank account details, or a copy of your driver's license or birth certificate.
• Do not comply with recruiters pressuring you to complete fake background checks. To learn more, review “Employer Background Checks and Your Rights” from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Additional Resources

• FBI Warns Cyber Criminals Are Using Fake Job Listings to Target Applicants’ Personally Identifiable Information
• How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages
• How to Spot the Latest Job Scams
• Looking for a Job? Scammers Might Be Looking for You
• Scammers Impersonate Well-Known Companies, Recruit for Fake Jobs on LinkedIn and Other Job Platforms

What to Do if You Suspect a Job Scam

Please report any suspicious activity directly to Sonara at customersupport@sonara.ai. Additionally, the following consumer protection authorities can be contacted:

• FTC Fraud Reporting
  • Report questionable business practices to the FTC.
• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • File a complaint with IC3 if you encounter any cyber crimes.
• National Association of Attorneys General
  • Find and contact your state’s attorney general.
• Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA) Spam Text Messages
  • Forward spam text messages to 7726 or “SPAM” to report them to your wireless provider.
• National Do Not Call Registry
  • If the job scam was perpetrated via phone, consider adding your phone number to this registry.

To stay scam-free throughout your job search, keep an eye out for these red flags.