Cybersecurity experts are warning about a significant rise in job scams that use AI technology to create realistic fake job listings. These scams often target people who have recently lost their jobs, especially in the tech industry. Reports show that over 245,500 people were scammed last year, and there has been a 25% increase in these scams from 2022 to 2023.
Paul Keener, a cybersecurity strategist for GuidePoint Security, said that generative AI makes it very easy for scammers to create convincing emails and job postings. The recent layoffs in the tech sector have also contributed to the rise in scams. Keener noted that people who have been laid off and don’t have a lot of savings are particularly vulnerable to these scams.
Scammers often ask for money to pay for equipment needed for the supposed job.
Job scams target vulnerable job seekers
Losses from these scams can be thousands of dollars.
The FTC reported that financial losses from job scams were $367 million in 2022 and increased to $491 million in 2023. Keener believes that the losses will be even higher this year. Keener advised job seekers to be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true, especially those that offer much higher pay than usual for similar positions.
He also stressed the importance of researching any company before sharing personal information or responding to job offers, even if contacted on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. If you do fall victim to a job scam, Keener recommended reporting it to authorities such as GuidePoint Security, the ID Theft Resource Center, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and related organizations. Staying informed and vigilant can help protect people from becoming victims of these increasingly sophisticated scams.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
