Australian job seekers will lose more than $8.7 million (US$5.9 million) to job fraud in 2022, new data reveals.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch has reported 3,194 recruitment scams in the past year, with many victims lured with quick financial promises, according to January 3. , statement By agency.
Scammers pretend to be recruiting on behalf of well-known companies and online shopping platforms, impersonating well-known recruitment agencies and demanding advance payments in exchange for a “guaranteed job or income.” is common, said the ACCC.
“Thousands of young Australians are leaving school, graduating from university, with high hopes for their future careers and will be looking for work in the New Year. Unfortunately, they are being targeted by scammers.” said ACCC Vice Chair Delia Rickard.
“We know young people are particularly vulnerable, with Australians between the ages of 25 and 44 reporting the biggest losses from job fraud.”
“If you’re job hunting and you’re offered a job that requires little effort for a big financial reward, it’s most likely a scam. This includes repeatedly clicking a button to purchase a product or submit a review.”
The ACCC warned young people to protect their personal information when applying for jobs and to be cautious about applying for jobs through social media platforms and messaging services such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram.
“The final months of 2022 have seen a significant increase in reports and losses related to job scams. ,” said Ricardo.
“With many Australians trying to make the most of a highly competitive job market, we are urging job seekers to be on the lookout for opportunities that seem too good to be true. If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.”
The ACCC warns the public to be vigilant when a company or recruitment agency offers a position without conducting an interview or discussing experience, qualifications, and recommendations.
Agencies also advise job seekers to quickly Google recruiters and companies and never give out financial or personal information to strangers.
