(ConservativeJournal.org) – Experts claim that last year saw a sharp rise in employment scams as scammers tricked job seekers with artificial intelligence. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported that in 2023, the number of reports of these frauds increased by 118% over 2022.
Scammers frequently act like recruiters, creating bogus employment ads to draw in candidates while getting private information through the “interview”. The high number of these fake job posts on legitimate websites such as LinkedIn and other job search platforms makes it difficult for applicants to tell the difference between real and fake jobs.
During the hiring process, scammers might force applicants into paying money up front for work-related equipment. They do this by sending bills and claiming they will be reimbursing any further purchases once the victim is working for them. Scammers also frequently ask for personal information under the pretext of filling out employment paperwork. This includes social security numbers and driver’s licenses.
One of the biggest reasons for the increase in this type of scam is the ever-evolving AI technology, which enables scammers to create more convincing job listings and recruitment messages. AI tools help refine these pitches, making them more believable and even correcting any grammar mistakes.
Remote work becoming more viable because of the pandemic has also made workers more comfortable with virtual interviews. Due to the possibility of mostly communicating via text or email, applicants may never even meet with recruiters, which adds new risks.
Robert Rodriguez, the secretary of state for New York, has issued a consumer alert. The alert noted that candidates for jobs should wait to provide sensitive personal information until after they get an official job offer. This can help prevent some scams, but it doesn’t guarantee safety in all cases. Rodriguez stated that no matter how good the job may look, it’s always important to be cautious to protect your personal data.
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