When you’re down on your luck after being laid off or losing your job, you may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. However, when you find your dream job listing, you may feel a spark of excitement. After sending all your information in and going through an easy interview, you’ve got the job! However, after giving your new employer your banking information, you stop hearing back. Unfortunately, this is common and can put your identity at risk. If you’re worried about fake job listings and identity theft, understanding how to verify listings is critical. Think you’ve been scammed? Keep reading to learn how a California identity theft victim lawyer can assist you through these times.
What Is the Correlation Between Fake Job Listings and Identity Theft?
Unfortunately, you may find that many scammers use fake job postings as a means to commit identity theft. For example, they can glean the information you provide on your application, like your full name, phone number, and email address to commit identity theft. However, after you are “hired,” you may find that providing your banking information, like your account and routing numbers or your Social Security number, can leave you with a drained bank account and your identity in the hands of a thief.
How Can I Protect Myself While Job Hunting?
If you’re searching for a new job, understanding the steps you should take to protect yourself during these matters is critical. Generally, if you see a job for a company or business you’ve ever heard of, you’ll need to take steps to research the company. This includes looking to see if they have a reputable website, reviews, and others.
Additionally, if you are brought to a website for a well-known and reputable company riddled with misspellings or other formatting issues, you may be on a phishing page. Essentially, this tries to copy the format of established websites. As such, you should always cross-check and verify websites before applying or offering any personal information.
What Should I Do if I Think I’ve Been Scammed?
If you think you were the victim of a fake job posting scam, understanding the steps involved in securing and recovering your identity is critical. You’ll want to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Unfortunately, trying to regain your identity and mitigate damages without legal assistance can be incredibly complex and overwhelming.
When you’ve been impacted by identity thieves looking to scam, connecting with an experienced attorney from Loker Law is critical. We know the devastation identity theft can cause, and if you were scammed while searching for a job, it can rub salt in the wound. As such, we are dedicated to helping you reclaim your identity and prevent further damage while fighting to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
