Yahoo Finance ‘Keep you in the loop’: SEEK’s unusual letter to Australians
As hundreds of thousands of Australians look for work, major jobs platform SEEK is warning job seekers to be alert to scams.
In an email to SEEK users, it said scammers are attempting to target people on the platform.
“This year has presented challenges for all Australians and unfortunately some see this as an opportunity to take advantage of others,” the email read.
“Your online security is important to us and it’s our priority to keep you in the loop which is why we wanted to make you aware of scammers who may be targeting Australian Internet users including job seekers.”
SEEK said the crucial thing to remember is that any job offer or communications that seem to be too good to be true, be cautious.
Additionally, any person asking for bank or card details, acceptance of money transfers or upfront fees should be considered suspicious.
“Be cautious of any unsolicited emails, calls or texts that are impersonating SEEK or other organisations that may include government agencies, an energy or telecommunications provider, a bank or the police,” SEEK said.
It said it regularly screens for illegitimate ads, but scam ads can still slip through.
SEEK asked those who see suspicious job ads report it to SEEK on 1300 658 700 in Australia and 0508 733 569 in New Zealand and take it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
An $880,000 problem
Australians have lost $882,166 to job and employment scams in 2020 so far, the ACCC’s Scamwatch monitor reports.
Scamwatch said it’s good to ask for references of the people who are approaching you with job offers, and to be extremely cautious of lucrative work-from-home offers.
“Be suspicious of unsolicited 'work from home' opportunities or job offers, particularly those that offer a 'guaranteed income' or require you to pay an upfront fee,” it said.
And be cautious of pyramid and multi-level marketing schemes.
“If the job involves making or selling a certain type of product or service, find out if there is really a market for it,” it said.
“Ask for references from other people who have done the work or used the product, and make the effort to speak to these people.”
Scamwatch said another thing to be cautious of is businesses with no street address.
“Do not deal with an employer or company that does not have a street address, they can be difficult to contact or trace later on.”
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