Recruitment cyber scams on the rise for 2023
Looking for a new job? You may be the prime target for scammers.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch has announced that recruitment scams are set to rise, after Australians lost $8.7 million in 2022.
Cyber criminals message job seekers under the guise that they are from well-known recruitment agencies and request that victims pay an upfront fee to secure a high-paying role.
Bad actors have been using encrypted messaging services and social media to contact victims, promising them well-paying roles that require little effort, as long as they secure their position with an upfront fee.
“They’re taking advantage of encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, where it’s harder for them to be detected,” added ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard.
The frequency of reports increased towards the end of the year, leading experts to believe that 2023 may result in a greater number of scams.
“In the final months of 2022, we saw a significant uptick in reports and losses associated with recruitment scams and we are concerned these scammers will continue to ramp up their efforts as people look for work in the new year,” said Rickard.
Scamwatch received 3,194 reports of job scams over the period, with many of those affected having been promised fast money.
Young people in particular are being warned of scams and have been advised to be wary of job offers made on social…
