Scammers are aware that job searchers are in a vulnerable situation and are eager to supply personal information or even money in order to acquire a job in Canada. You are not alone if you have fallen victim to a scam.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of online scams. According to data from Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), there were more than 68,000 documented cases of fraud in 2021, not including December. The losses were $231 million, which was more than quadruple the losses in 2020.
Your best defense against fraud is knowledge. Aside from the CAFC website, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) maintains a scam tracker that monitors reported occurrences of fraud. We’ve prepared a list of suggestions for avoiding fraudulent job offers, as well as a few more to assist you to uncover the real thing, in this article.
How to Spot a Job Offer Scam
A common rule of thumb is that if the employment offer appears to be too good to be true, you are generally correct.
Here are several red flags that you may be dealing with a bogus employment offer:
It’s probably not real if you didn’t apply for it. The majority of fake job offers are unsolicited. They arrive from firms you did not apply to, for jobs you did not apply for.
- They may offer a high income and have ambiguous standards, making it appear as if anyone may be a good candidate (over age 18, no experience required, etc.) They are designed to play on your emotions, making you believe that your job hunt is done and that you have found a source of financial security.
- The sender’s email address may or may not be suspicious. While legitimate business owners may use free email services such as Gmail, it is more likely that firms will utilize their own domain names in their email addresses.
- Keep in a note, though, that scammers can steal emails from existing companies and pretend as recruiters. If you feel you received a bogus job offer from a legitimate organization, do not respond to the email; instead, contact someone else at that company to check if they attempted to contact you. If the sender’s email contains no contact information, this could be a red sign.
- In order to get the job offer, the fake recruiter may require you to pay money. They may give you a check to buy supplies with, which turns out to be a forgery, leaving you liable for anything you purchased. You should not be required to pay for a legitimate employment offer or engage in any transactional activities.
- They request sensitive information such as your home address and Social Security number (SIN). You should never give away your Social Security number unless it is legally obliged. Employers only require your SIN after you have been recruited.
- Finally, before you commit to anything, conduct a basic search. Do not click on any links, respond to any messages, or download anything until you are confident that you are speaking with a genuine recruiter.
- If you are, you should have been expecting their message. Perform a brief background check on the sender and the company they represent. Check to see if searching for the firm name plus “scam” yields any results.
If you believe you have received a bogus employment offer, you should report it to the CAFC and the BBB.
Identifying genuine career opportunities: network and apply
When you receive a genuine job offer, it is from a company you are familiar with. You either applied or were exposed to them through networking.
According to Linked-In, networking accounts for approximately 85 percent of all job searches. So, if you have contacts in Canada, ask them for leads.
If you live in Canada, you can also look for job opportunities through your municipality or province. If you are an international student, your university will provide you with services to assist you in finding employment.
When applying online, try emailing your application directly to the company’s website.
You can also locate resources dedicated to assisting newcomers in finding work. On its website, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provide free settlement and employment services that can be accessed whether you are in Canada or overseas. Canada also has a job bank website where firms can look for local and foreign talent.
You can also search the provincial websites of provinces that participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) for designated employers looking for international workers. Additionally, localities taking part in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) may have openings listed on their municipal websites.
When applying, make sure you have a cover letter and a Canadian-style résumé, which typically includes less personal information than is necessary for other countries. Make your application specific to the position you’re seeking for. Thoroughly read the job description. Explain to the hiring manager why you are a good fit for the position and how you can help the organization. Check the company’s background to see if it’s a good place to work.
Finally, simply apply. Employers recruit for a variety of reasons other than what is represented on the resume. Apply even if you do not believe you are qualified.
