Scammers lurk on LinkedIn

Scammers are looking for their victims and other job sites, posing as recruiters for well-known companies, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned.

It starts with a direct message to a victim on a job search site like LinkedIn. First, the “recruiter” says you have the right skills for the job. Next, you get an official-looking invitation to a job interview and a briefing guide.

After the virtual interview, you receive a job offer. But there’s a catch. With that offer, you’ll get an invoice for equipment like the computer they will order for you, promising to reimburse you later. Naturally, they don’t because it is a scam.

Scammers might also ask you for personal information, such as your driver’s license, Social Security, or bank account number, to complete “employment paperwork.” In the end, they’ll steal your identity.

“To avoid these scams, never give out personal information before doing some research. Contact the company directly using a phone number you know to be legitimate — not one you got from the “recruiter.” Or go to the company’s website. If you can’t confirm the job is real, it could be a scam,” FTC noted.