Updated on: August 23, 2024
Unfortunately, the LinkedIn networking platform can be a target for scammers. These scammers prey on job seekers using tactics like fake job postings, recruiter impersonation, and elaborate schemes to steal personal and financial information. Victims have lost money by paying upfront fees for non-existent jobs, and some have even had their identities stolen after sharing sensitive information.
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it even more important to be vigilant. They often create convincing profiles and job offers, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate opportunities and fraudulent schemes. Understanding the common signs of LinkedIn job scams is the first step in protecting yourself.
To keep your job search safe, you should follow the guidelines in this article. One of the first steps I recommend is using an identity protection service like Norton LifeLock, which can help protect your personal information from being misused if it falls into the wrong hands during your job search activities on LinkedIn (or any other platform). Staying informed and cautious will keep your LinkedIn experience safe and productive.
The Most Common LinkedIn Scams
- Phishing scams. Cybercriminals pose as legitimate recruiters or employers and send messages or emails requesting personal information. They may direct you to fake websites that look like real company portals in order to steal sensitive information, such as social security numbers or login credentials.
- Fake job offers. Scammers create fake job postings for legitimate companies and target users who have marked themselves as “open to work”. These scammers may request personal information such as your social security number or bank account information under the guise of employment paperwork.
- Pyramid schemes. Some scams pretend to be job opportunities but are actually pyramid schemes. They’ll ask you to recruit others and make initial investments, shifting the focus from actual work to endless recruiting. If a job seems more concerned with recruiting new people than performing tasks, it’s probably a scam.
- Identity theft. Scammers may pretend to be recruiters to gather personal information for illegal activities. They may ask for sensitive information such as passport or credit card details.
- Payment scams. These are fake job postings that ask you to accept money on behalf of a company or transfer money internationally. In reality, you’re unknowingly participating in money laundering. If a job involves handling money transfers, especially to unknown parties, it’s likely a scam.
- Resume harvesting. Some scammers use deceptive job postings to collect resumes, either for identity theft or to sell personal information to third parties. Be careful where you submit your resume and consider using a professional email address that doesn’t include your full name.
- Third-party resume services. Beware of services that claim to increase your chances of landing a job on LinkedIn for a fee. These services often charge a hefty fee without providing any real value or employment guarantee.
- Technical support scams. Criminals may pretend to be LinkedIn customer support and try to get your password or access your device. Remember, LinkedIn will never ask for your password or request remote access to your computer.
- Malware distribution. Scammers often use LinkedIn to distribute malware through seemingly innocent links or file attachments. These may be disguised as important business documents or work-related files.
- Catfishing and romance scams. While LinkedIn is not a dating platform, scammers still use it for catfishing and romance scams. They create fake profiles, often impersonating successful professionals or even celebrities, to build trust with their targets. Once trust is established, these scammers might offer fake job opportunities or request money, linking their schemes back to job-related scams. They often try to move conversations off LinkedIn to avoid detection.
How to Spot a LinkedIn Job Scam
To protect yourself from LinkedIn job scams, it’s important to know the red flags. Here are the most common signs that a job offer or recruiter on LinkedIn might be fake:
- Suspicious profiles. Scammers often create fake LinkedIn profiles that lack essential details. Watch out for incomplete work histories, low connection counts, and stock images or missing profile pictures. Another telltale sign is an unusually high number of endorsements that don’t match the person’s work experience.
- Too-good-to-be-true job offers. Be wary of unsolicited job offers that promise extremely high salaries for minimal work or provide unrealistic perks. Legitimate companies rarely offer senior-level compensation for entry-level positions. Trust your gut — if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Vague job descriptions. Scammers often use generic language to cast a wide net. If you can’t pinpoint what the job actually entails or the message sounds like it wasn’t written specifically for you, it’s likely a mass-sent scam.
- Requests for upfront payments. No legitimate company will ask you to pay fees to apply or get hired. If you’re asked to purchase equipment or software before starting a job, with promises of reimbursement later, it’s most likely a scam.
- Pressure tactics and urgency. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to get you to act without thinking — be cautious of messages that push you to make quick decisions.
- Poor grammar and spelling. While everyone makes mistakes, frequent grammatical errors and typos in job postings or recruiter messages are red flags. Legitimate companies typically maintain high standards in their communications.
- Requests for sensitive information. Be extremely cautious if asked for personal data like your Social Security number or copies of government-issued IDs early in the application process. Legitimate employers only request this information after you’ve accepted a job offer.
- Use of personal email accounts. Real recruiters and hiring managers will contact you via official company email addresses. Messages from Gmail, Outlook, or other personal accounts should be treated with suspicion.
- Interviews over messaging apps. If a recruiter insists on conducting interviews via WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging platforms instead of in-person or through video conferencing, it’s likely a scam.
- No company LinkedIn page. While not definitive proof, the absence of a LinkedIn page for the company a recruiter claims to represent is cause for concern. Legitimate businesses typically maintain a presence on the platform.
Remember, staying vigilant and recognizing these red flags can help you avoid falling prey to LinkedIn job scams. If something feels off, take a step back and thoroughly research the company and position before proceeding. Being cautious could save you from potential financial loss and identity theft.
How to Protect Yourself Against LinkedIn Job Scams
LinkedIn job scams can be tricky, but with the right precautions you can stay safe. Here’s how to avoid falling victim to these deceptive practices:
- Verify the company and job posting. Don’t take job postings at face value. Always verify the information in the posting with the company’s official website. Look for a legitimate online presence, including social media accounts and real contact information. If something seems off, it probably is. Remember, a little detective work can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
- Check the recruiter’s profile. A recruiter’s profile can tell you a lot about their legitimacy. Look for endorsements and recommendations from trusted people in their network. A real recruiter should have a well-established presence on the platform.
- Do a comprehensive background check. Don’t just stop at the company’s LinkedIn page. Look for reviews, news articles, and information from reliable sources to make sure the company is legitimate and trustworthy.
- Look for recommendations. Your LinkedIn network can be a valuable resource for vetting job opportunities. Reach out to your connections and ask if they have any experience with the company or recruiter in question. Their insights could mean the difference between landing a great job and falling victim to a scam.
- Never open suspicious attachments or click on suspicious links. And if you do, run a malware scan immediately. Good antiviruses like Norton and
Bitdefender offer excellent web protection to help protect you from these kinds of threats. I also recommend checking our list of the best antivirus software in 2024 to find the best option for you. - Use LinkedIn’s “Report” feature. If you come across a suspicious job posting or recruiter, use LinkedIn’s “Report” feature. The platform takes user reports seriously and investigates potential scams. By reporting, you’re protecting yourself and other users.
What to Do if You’ve Fallen For a LinkedIn Job Scam
If you’ve fallen victim to a LinkedIn job scam, act fast to protect yourself from further harm. Here are the steps you should take immediately:
- Change your passwords. Update your LinkedIn password and any other accounts that share the same login credentials. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your personal information. I recommend using a top password manager like 1Password to generate strong and unique passwords for all your accounts.
- Run a malware scan. If you’ve clicked on a suspicious link on LinkedIn, it’s possible that your device could be infected with malware. Run a full disk scan with a reliable antivirus like Norton to detect and remove any malicious files from your system.
- Monitor your credit and bank accounts. Keep a close eye on your financial statements and credit reports for any suspicious activity. If you notice any unauthorized transactions, report them to your bank immediately. You can even freeze your credit with all three major bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) to prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
- Sign up for identity theft protection. I recommend opting for a reliable identity protection service like Norton’s LifeLock. Norton offers users in the US and a few other countries features such as credit report monitoring, live identity recovery assistance, and credit freezing. Its Social Media Monitoring tool can also keep an eye on your LinkedIn profile and other social media accounts for potential security risks. Alternatively, Bitdefender’s Identity Theft Protection tool provides similar features to protect your identity.
- Enable security features. I strongly suggest using two-factor authentication (2FA) on your LinkedIn account and other online profiles. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond your password. LinkedIn offers various 2FA options, including SMS codes and authenticator apps. Enabling this feature can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your account, even if your password is compromised. The best password managers all include excellent 2FA options.
- Educate yourself. Learn from this experience to avoid falling for similar scams in the future. Stay informed about common job scam tactics and red flags to watch out for on professional networking sites. Be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true, requests for upfront payments, or unsolicited messages from unfamiliar recruiters.
By acting quickly, you can reduce the potential damage caused by a LinkedIn job scam and better protect yourself from future scammers. Stay vigilant and trust your instincts when interacting with potential employers online.
How To Report a Scam on LinkedIn
Here’s a comprehensive guide to reporting different types of scam on the LinkedIn platform.
Reporting a Scam Profile
If you come across a profile that seems fake or involved in fraudulent activities, follow these steps:
- Visit the suspicious profile.
- Click the More icon (3 dots) near the top of the profile, next to the Message button.
- Select Report/Block from the dropdown menu.
- Choose Report [profile name] or entire account.
- Select Fraud or scam and then click Next.
- Finally, hit Submit report to send your report to LinkedIn for review.
Reporting a Scam Message
- Open the suspicious message in your LinkedIn inbox.
- Click on the 3 dots in the top right corner of the conversation thread.
- Choose Report / Block from the dropdown menu.
- Select It’s spam or a scam as the reason for reporting.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to provide additional information so LinkedIn knows exactly what the nature of the content is.
- Click Submit to file your report.
Reporting a Scam Post
Spotted a post in your feed that looks like a scam? Take these steps:
- Locate the suspicious post in your LinkedIn feed.
- Click the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the post.
- Select Report post from the dropdown menu.
- Select Report content for review.
- Choose the most applicable reason for reporting from the options provided.
- Click Submit report to send your report to LinkedIn for review.
Additional Steps to Combat LinkedIn Scams
To further protect yourself and others from LinkedIn scams:
- Forward any phishing emails you receive to phishing@linkedin.com for LinkedIn to investigate.
- If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, report it to your local law enforcement.
- Consider filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for more serious cases.
- Remember, when reporting any type of scam on LinkedIn, it’s helpful to gather evidence such as screenshots of the suspicious content or communication. This can assist LinkedIn in its investigation and potentially prevent others from falling prey to the same scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get phished on LinkedIn?
Yes, it is possible to get phished on LinkedIn. Scammers often use sophisticated tactics to trick users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. These phishing attempts can come in the form of connection requests, direct messages, or even fake job postings.
To protect yourself, use caution when interacting with unfamiliar profiles or companies, especially those offering deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true. I highly recommend using a reliable antivirus program such as Norton or Bitdefender, as this will provide an extra layer of protection against phishing attempts on LinkedIn and other platforms.
How do you tell if someone is scamming you on LinkedIn?
There are several red flags that can indicate a LinkedIn scam. First, be wary of offers that seem unrealistic or too good to be true, such as high-paying jobs with minimal qualifications or opportunities that promise quick career growth with little effort. Scammers often use generic, impersonal messages and may have profiles with incomplete work history or education details.
Pay attention to the quality of communication — frequent grammatical errors or typos can be a red flag. If someone tries to create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act quickly, it could very well be a scam. Also, be wary of requests for sensitive information early in your interactions. Remember, legitimate recruiters and companies respect your privacy and follow proper hiring procedures.
What are the most common LinkedIn scams?
The most prevalent LinkedIn scams often revolve around fake job offers. Scammers create convincing profiles and post seemingly legitimate job opportunities to lure unsuspecting users. Once engaged, they may request personal information or even direct payments under various pretexts, leading to identity theft or financial loss.
Other common scams include phishing attempts, where criminals pose as recruiters or employers to steal sensitive data, and pyramid schemes disguised as networking opportunities. Some scammers use LinkedIn to distribute malware through infected links or attachments. Be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, technical support scams, and romance scams as well. Always verify the legitimacy of job offers and be skeptical of requests for personal information or money transfers.
How do I report a scammer on LinkedIn?
Reporting a scammer on LinkedIn is a straightforward process that helps protect the platform’s community. To report a suspicious profile, visit the profile in question, click the More icon near the top, and select Report/Block. Choose Report content on profile and then select the most appropriate reason for reporting.
For scam messages, open the conversation, click the More icon, and choose Report this conversation. Select It’s spam or a scam as the reason. To report a suspicious post, click the More icon on the post itself and select Report this post. Follow the prompts to complete your report. LinkedIn takes these reports seriously and investigates potential scams to maintain a safe environment for all users.
Is it safe to use LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is generally a safe platform for professional networking when used responsibly — it’s no more inherently dangerous than other social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. However, as with any online platform, there are risks to be aware of, including scams and phishing attempts.
To ensure your safety on LinkedIn:
- Always be cautious when connecting with unfamiliar people or companies.
- Verify the authenticity of job offers and be wary of requests for sensitive information.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your account for added security.
- I also recommend a reliable internet security suite like Norton or Bitdefender for additional protection against online threats.