Cruel ‘ad scam’ lets criminals ‘access your bank and steal money’ – three steps you must take

DON’T lose out to criminals who prey on victims using fake job ads.

The devious scam cruelly tricks people into handing over info or money.

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Job scams are a simple way to trick victims because they often involve promises of quick cash, using fake ads to con their targets.

Now cybersecurity experts have revealed the signs to look out for – and how to stay safe.

Otherwise, the consequences could be severe and very costly.

“With your personal information, cybercriminals can access your bank account, steal your money, apply for loans under your name and use your benefits from services like unemployment or medical,” said Keeper Security’s Tim Tran.

“If a cybercriminal steals your personal information from a job scam to commit identity theft, you can be left with damaged credit, debt, financial loss and a ruined reputation.”

There are plenty of signs that you’re being targeted by a job ad scam, according to Keeper Security.

You might be asked for personal information early on, like your Social Security number.

Or the offer itself may seem too good to be true.

You may not be able to find much information about the company.

Vague job descriptions or suspicious websites should also trigger alarm bells.

Particularly worrying is when a company asks you to pay some money upfront.

And you should be cautious if the person contacts you via surprising methods (like on WhatsApp).

SLAM THE SCAM

Thankfully it’s easy to steer clear of job ad scams.

There are three rules that can help you stay safe – and avoid losing cash, info, or both, to crooks.

The first is to heavily research the company to make sure it’s legitimate.

Check employer review pages, and investigate the official website.

You should also be wary of unsolicited messages about jobs: they can be real, but you should treat them with extra caution.

“Don’t interact with these messages if they have a suspicious attachment or link for you to click on. Only respond to messages regarding jobs you applied for,” Tim added.

And finally, make sure to not hand over personal information or money to “recruiters” who message you out of the blue.

Jobs typically won’t ask for payment to employ you – and sensitive personal info usually won’t be required until very late stages of an interview process.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk