LinkedIn Security Measures

There’s a growing scam on LinkedIn, targeting job seekers when they’re most vulnerable. It starts with a message: “Hi, I’m a recruiter. I saw your profile. Can you send me your résumé?” You’re hopeful. You send it. Then they say: ❌ “Your résumé isn’t ATS-friendly.” ❌ “It won’t get past filters.” ❌ “You’ll struggle to get hired like this.” And then… surprise. They conveniently recommend a résumé writer on Fiverr or Upwork. I tracked several of these “recruiters.” The people they recommend? It’s them, different names, but the same scam. It’s fake. It’s manipulative. And it’s designed to make you feel insecure so you’ll pay them. They are not recruiters. They’re not career experts. They’re scammers using LinkedIn like a hunting ground. They’re here to make you doubt yourself and then sell you the solution to a problem they made up. ✅ You do not need to pay someone random to be job-ready. ✅ You do not need to doubt yourself because of one cold message. ✅ You do not owe strangers your résumé or your trust. If this happened to you, speak up and report them. If you know someone job hunting, warn them. Let’s stop giving these scammers room to operate.

WORD OF WARNING JOB SEEKERS! A dear friend of mine was recently contacted by someone presenting as a recruiter about a role with a well-known software company. He provided very specific details — the role, company, salary, and benefits. He even boasted that the candidates he puts forward “always get interviews” because he prescreens their references and submits both the resume and the references to the client. Trusting the process, she provided several references. Soon after, all of those contacts received calls — not about her candidacy, but with sales pitches for the recruiter’s services. Here’s what she uncovered: there was no job. When she called the company directly, they confirmed they weren’t hiring for that role and had never heard of his recruiting firm. She documented everything with screenshots and reported him to LinkedIn. Red flags to watch for: • Requests for multiple references before you’ve had any interview or confirmation of candidacy. • A recruiter who emphasizes “prescreening” or “special access” to gain your trust. The job market is challenging enough without tactics like this. Sharing this as a reminder to all candidates: protect your network, and trust your instincts.

New week, new hiring scam. A few days ago, one of my connections reached out with a shocking experience. She received a job offer from TELUS Digital Digital. Or so she thought. The process seemed legit: - A telephonic interview - An assessment round - A final interview with an "Operations Manager" who refused to turn on his camera Then came the catch She got a feedback email saying she performed well but needed an ASP.NET Professional Certification before joining. The HR directed her to CodemindsEdu, claiming it was Microsoft-authorized. The fee? ₹18,000. Reimbursable after joining. Trusting the process, she paid. That’s when things went silent. She later found out from real TELUS employees that the offer letter was fake, the email domain was fraudulent, and the certification was a scam. Signs to watch for: 1️⃣ Fake domains (real companies don’t use .co.in or similar unofficial domains). 2️⃣ Mandatory paid certifications tied to job offers. 3️⃣ Recruiters pushing you towards specific training providers. 4️⃣ No video interviews or LinkedIn presence of interviewers. Scammers are getting smarter, using real company names to trap job seekers. Stay cautious. Always verify. And if something feels off, it probably is. Share this to protect others from falling into the same trap. LinkedIn #hiring #interview #career #job #linkedin

Last week, a job seeker told me: “Sneha, I paid for ‘training material’ and never heard back from the recruiter.” Unfortunately, her story isn’t unique. I hear versions of this every single week. The reality is, fake job offers are on the rise. And scammers don’t prey on intelligence. They prey on desperation. Even the smartest professionals can get trapped if they don’t know the red flags. Here’s how to protect yourself 👇 🚩 Red Flags of Fake Job Offers 1️⃣ Unrealistic Salary → If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 2️⃣ Upfront Payment → No legitimate company asks you to pay for training, equipment, or background checks. 3️⃣ Suspicious Email IDs → Look for mismatched or fake domains (e.g., @company-careers.com instead of @company.com). 4️⃣ Vague Job Descriptions → Full of errors and no clear responsibilities. 5️⃣ Pressure Tactics → “Offer expires today.” Real employers give you time to decide. 6️⃣ Early Personal Data Requests → No company asks for bank details or SSN before interviews. 7️⃣ Text-Only Interviews → Legitimate employers conduct face-to-face or video interviews. 8️⃣ No Digital Footprint → A company with no LinkedIn presence or a website created last month? ✅ Quick Safety Checklist Before Accepting Any Offer ✔ Google the company & recruiter name. ✔ Cross-check salary ranges on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Naukri. ✔ Verify the recruiter on LinkedIn. ✔ Ask for an official offer letter on company letterhead. ✔ Never share sensitive details until an official process is in place. Job hunting is stressful enough. Don’t let scammers take your hope or your money. Stay vigilant. Protect your time, energy, and future. 👉 Have you or someone you know ever received a fake job offer? Share your experience, it might save someone else. P.S. Your job search should feel empowering, not risky. For more updated insights, strategies, and step-by-step frameworks to stay safe while growing your career. 📌 Join my Career Spotlight Group - https://lnkd.in/gB22r3_b

Fake job postings and profiles on LinkedIn are a growing issue, with scammers exploiting the platform’s trust to target job seekers. ✓ Here’s how to stay vigilant and spot these scams- • Postings Vague or Unrealistic Job Descriptions: Legitimate job postings include specific responsibilities, qualifications, and company details. Be wary of posts with generic language, unrealistically high salaries, or promises of rapid career advancement with minimal experience. For example, a job offering $250k/year for entry-level work is a red flag. • Suspicious Company Profiles: Check the company’s LinkedIn page. Authentic companies have active profiles with regular posts, a complete “About” section, a website link, and multiple employee connections. Fake profiles often have few followers, no recent activity, or missing details like a logo or physical address. • Requests for Sensitive Information Upfront: Scammers may ask for personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account information, or passport copies before an interview. Legitimate employers only request such information after a formal job offer. • No Interview or Unusually Fast Hiring: Be cautious if you’re offered a job without a proper interview process (phone, video, or in-person). Scammers may claim text or email exchanges suffice as an “interview” to avoid revealing their identity. • Grammatical Errors or Unprofessional Communication: Poorly written job posts or messages with spelling errors, excessive emojis, or overly pushy language (e.g., pressuring you to act quickly) are warning signs. Legitimate recruiters maintain professional communication. • Requests for Payment: Genuine employers never ask for money for applications, training, or equipment. Scammers may disguise fees as “mandatory” for securing a role or accessing job portals.Posts Encouraging • Comments or Likes: Job postings asking you to “like,” “comment,” or “say hi” to be considered are often scams or data-harvesting schemes. Real recruiters provide clear application instructions, like an email or link to a career page. ✓ How to Spot Fake LinkedIn Profiles: 1. Incomplete or Suspicious Profiles 2. Lack of Engagement 3. Impersonation of Legitimate Companies 4. Unverified Accounts ✓ What to Do If You Suspect a Scam: 1. Report to LinkedIn: Use the “Report this job” or “Report/Block” feature to flag fake postings or profiles. 2. Secure Your Accounts: If you clicked a suspicious link or shared information, update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and scan your device for malware. 3. Seek Professional Help 4. Contact Authorities Always verify job postings and profiles through independent research, and never share sensitive information prematurely. If you’re unsure about a job offer, feel free to share details with me, and I can help you assess its legitimacy. Stay cautious and good luck with your job search.

Phishing has evolved (again) – and it’s more dangerous than ever. It's been some time already since we've seen badly written emails (thank you, LLMs) and broken templates (those get filtered) — but cybercriminals have leveled up again. Instead of sending one-off emails, attackers now engage in long-term conversations to build trust before striking. 🔹 They don’t ask for your password right away. Instead, they chat with you for days or weeks. 🔹 They impersonate recruiters, journalists, or colleagues offering jobs, business deals, or exclusive opportunities. 🔹 They spread malware through LinkedIn, WhatsApp, SMS, and email. No more sketchy links—these messages sound real. 🔹 They use social engineering tactics (fear, urgency, curiosity, authority) but stitch it in a broader discussion strategy to build rapport. This isn't speculation—it’s happening right now. The I-Soon leaks, which exposed how a Chinese cyber contractor targeted governments and businesses, revealed that prolonged social engineering is now a core hacking strategy. And it’s not just nation-states (or sponsored contractors) doing this. A recent SlashNext report found that text-based and BEC attacks are growing heavily. It's now representing 70% of the total phishing volume. Phishing is no longer just an email problem—it’s happening in your LinkedIn DMs, WhatsApp chats, and SMS inbox. You should start training your people against those and mix it up with your tried and true credential harvesting simulation. #phishing #socialengineering

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 – 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝  This week, I just had yet another “board appointment” offer slide into my LinkedIn inbox. This one offered a seat on the Executive Regional Board of Sea Limited. At first glance, the recruiter’s profile looked legitimate... over a year old, regular posts (though mostly reposts), comments, even photos from events. The message was smooth, flattering my leadership experience and inviting me to click a link to “Review Board Position” and join a quick 15-minute confidential Google Meet. Here’s the thing… this is exactly how scammers work now. They play the long game...building a profile over months, sometimes years, posting, commenting, sharing. All to appear credible when the hook finally drops. I checked. No such board position exists on Sea Limited’s official site. No link between the company and the recruiter’s firm. Just a well-dressed scam, wrapped in corporate language. I flagged the message to LinkedIn as a scam, and within minutes the profile was gone. We have to be sharper than ever. AI has made it easy to fake not just a message, but an entire professional persona, complete with years of activity and “proof” of credibility. At Influence Solutions, we are seeing more clients than ever asking us to develop critical thinking skills in their executives. Critical thinking is not just a nice-to-have. It is now a core leadership competency in the AI era where more people rely (and even outsource thinking) for efficiency and impact. 𝐒𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐤: * Why me? * Is this how senior appointments really happen? * Does the recruiter’s history line up with the opportunity? Because genuine board roles don’t arrive via a cold LinkedIn message and a “quick confidential chat” link. They go through formal nomination committees, structured interviews, and are publicly announced. Let's stay alert. Think critically. Protect your network. And if you get a message like this, don’t click any links. Report it. Someone else’s safety might depend on you doing so. #Leadership #CriticalThinking

❌ Beware of job scams on LinkedIn. Scammers are getting craftier. They're reaching out with enticing job offers that, unfortunately, are designed to steal personal information or even money. Here are some tips to help you navigate safely: 🔍 Verify the Contact: -Always ensure the person contacting you has a comprehensive LinkedIn profile. -Look for a detailed work history, connections in common, and professional endorsements. -If something feels off, it probably is. 🏢 Investigate the Company: -If you're approached by an unfamiliar company, research them. -Look them up on LinkedIn, Google, and Glassdoor. -Real companies have an online presence, including websites and social media accounts. 🔒 Secure Communication: -Legitimate recruiters and hiring managers will typically use their corporate email, not personal ones. -Be wary of any communications asking for personal information via email, especially if they don't come from a corporate domain. 💰 Too Good to Be True: -High-paying jobs for minimal experience, roles that don't require an interview, or companies offering to send checks before you start working are often scams. -Be cautious and remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 💭 Trust Your Instincts: -If something feels wrong, don't ignore your gut feeling. -Take your time to research and never feel pressured to provide information quickly. Remember, the goal of your job search is to advance your career, not to become a victim. Stay alert and safe!

Important PSA for Job Seekers on LinkedIn: How to Avoid Bots and Scammers If you’re in the job market, please read this, and share with others in transition! One of the fastest ways to attract scammers and bots on LinkedIn is by using the phrase “open to work” (with no spaces). The hashtag may seem helpful, but it’s actually a beacon for scammers and bots that prey on job seekers. Here’s what you should avoid: • NEVER use the hashtag “open to work (No space)” - Use “open to opportunities” or describe your interests in a sentence instead. • Avoid posting your personal email or phone number publicly. • Be cautious of flashy DMs offering “remote jobs” or “easy roles” with high pay and vague descriptions. Common fake company names & tactics to watch out for: • Scammers often claim to represent KPMG, Deloitte, Google, Robert Half, Amazon, or other big-name brands. Received many “invites myself. • They’ll usually send messages with: • Poor grammar or odd phrasing. • Too-good-to-be-true offers. • Requests to move to WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Chat immediately. • Links to “job applications” hosted on shady, unofficial sites. How to spot a scam account FAST: • Newly created profiles with few connections. • No real posts or activity beyond job scams. • Generic job titles like “HR Manager” or “Recruitment Executive” with no real employer listed. • No endorsements or professional recommendations. Pro Tip: Legit recruiters will use your name, reference specific experience, and have complete LinkedIn profiles. If you’re unsure, search the company’s real website and reach out via their official careers page, not a DM. Protect yourself. You’ve worked hard to build your career, don’t let a bot or scammer take advantage of your momentum.