In this episode, I discuss with Ashley the alarming rise in job scams and how scammers exploit the personal information found on resumes. We highlight that resumes are not just tools for job applications—they’re also potential gateways for identity theft and other cybercrimes.
I share recent statistics showing a dramatic increase in scam attempts and emphasize the importance of being vigilant about the information we include on our resumes and with whom we share them.
Ashley and I break down the specific vulnerabilities that can be exploited, such as addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, references, and even certification numbers. We recommend taking practical steps, such as using a city and state instead of a full address, setting up a separate email and phone number for job applications, and avoiding the inclusion of sensitive details, such as salary history or license numbers.
We also discuss the risks of sharing too much about previous employers and accomplishments, as scammers may use this information to target companies or gather intelligence.
We touch on the dangers of metadata in resume files, the differences between Word and PDF documents, and the importance of scanning links and attachments before clicking.
We stress the need to vet companies before applying and to be cautious with LinkedIn and other public profiles. Ultimately, our goal is to help job seekers protect themselves by being proactive, skeptical, and informed, knowing that while we can’t eliminate all risk, we can significantly reduce our exposure to scams.
10 Main Points (First Person):
* Resumes are a major target for scammers and identity thieves.
* Avoid including a full address and instead use only the city and state.
* Use a separate phone number (such as Google Voice) and email address specifically for job applications.
* Never list references or their contact details on a resume until you’ve vetted the company.
* Don’t include certification or license numbers. Just the credential and issuing organization.
* Be careful about sharing details of previous employers.
* Never put salary history or a photo on a resume, especially for private sector jobs.
* Metadata in my resume files can reveal more than intended, so remove it before sending.
* Always scan links and attachments (using tools like VirusTotal) before clicking or applying.
* Vet every company and recruiter, and be cautious about what’s shared on LinkedIn and other public profiles.
Finally…
I wanted to ensure that the companies I partner with for 'The Job Scam Report' were a good fit. The FBI reports Americans are losing significantly more to cybercrime than home burglaries, with digital crime financial losses reaching approximately $12.5 billion in 2023 alone.
Job search strategy and safety should be top of mind for all job seekers.
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