The warning from Touchstone Infotech: Beware of fraudulent schemes that use Touchstone Infotech’s name to lure people. Impersonators have made phony Touchstone Infotech ID cards, and have shown false job offers to make themselves seem legitimate.
Here are some warning signs to look for:
Unlikely Opportunities: Such as posting reviews online for quick money for minimal work.
Screenshot Requests; Requesting screenshots as a condition to make the payments
Genuine Touchstone Infotech ID cards or any fake credentials: Fraudsters using fake Touchstone Infotech ID cards or different fake documents.
These offers set off a red flag, and, remember, there is no connection between Touchstone Infotech and these activities. As always, information on our communication can be verified. Be aware and defend yourself from these pitfalls.
The Latest Job Scam Alert
Looking for a job in digital marketing? You’re not alone. SEO specialists, PPC managers, content marketers, and other similar positions are in-demand more than ever. But along with the job market boom comes an alarming development — the digital marketing job scam.
Fake job offers and scam postings are taking advantage of the ambitions of job seekers, often leaving victims not only wasting time and effort, but also money and sensitive personal information. Identifying and avoiding these scams is crucial to keeping yourself safe during your job search.
This guide will walk you through common scam tactics, warning signs to watch out for — and some tips for verification and what to do if you’ve been impacted.
The Latest Job Scam Alert
Common Tactics Scammers Use
The first step in protecting yourself is to understand how job scams work. Here are some of the tactics used by fraudsters pretending to be your potential employer in the Digital Marketing space.
- Fake Job Postings
Many websites or job boards will have scammers posting job opportunities that seem too good to be true. These ads might have nonspecific job descriptions but boast unsual salary rates. The listings are meant to hook you quickly.
- Phishing Emails
You may receive one that appears to come from a reputable company with a “job” that is “perfectly suited to your skills.” One of the techniques the scammers use is to impersonate the real company logo. This is because clicking on links in those emails may redirect you to websites that are created to steal your sensitive information.
- Demands for Upfront Payments
Other scams solicit candidates to pay “application processing fees,” “training costs” or “security deposits.” Legitimate companies don’t ask candidates for money during the hiring process, so make sure to raise an eyebrow at something as soon as you see it.
Such tactics prey on the eagerness and hope of job seekers. Knowing these steps allows you to approach every job offer with prudence.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Look for these red flags before you answer a digital marketing job post/email.
- Unrealistic Job Descriptions
Be wary of job listings with unrealistic expectations or claims. For example:
- “Work from home and make $ 5,000 a week.”
- “No experience needed, simply a computer and internet access.”
If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Poor Grammar and Spelling
There is a science to writing professional job descriptions. Keep an eye out for grammatical errors and typos in ads or emails. This is usually a red flag that the listing is not legit.
- Fake Calls or SMS Messages Asking for Personal or Financial Information
Appropriate companies will never require sensitive information such as your bank account number, Social Security number or password at the application stage. Proceed carefully if you’re asked to cough these up front.
- Zero Online Presence
If the company that just offered you a job has an unlegitimate website or a minimal online presence, this should ring fast alarms. There should be a history of identifying that is easily verifiable for most reputable businesses.
These red flags should be front of mind when assessing job opportunities.
How to Verify a Job Offer
If you’re not sure an opportunity is legitimate, follow these steps to double-check its authenticity.
- Investigate the Company
Do an online search for that company. Does it have a commercial web site? Do its particulars match the job description? Review sites are another place to check, such as Glassdoor or Google Reviews. No history might mean a scam.
- Direct Contact With HR Or Hiring Managers
Contact the company through its official channels to make sure the job is real. Use official addresses (name@company.com) versus free generic ones like Gmail or Yahoo.
- Stick to Trusted Job Boards
Whatever you do, stick to large platforms who have a track record, like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor. Such platforms often also come with built-in safeguards to help weed out fraudulent job postings.
- Research the Recruiter
If a recruiter reaches out, look for their LinkedIn profile.) It’s pretty uncommon for a legitimate recruiter not to have a professional presence, including an employment history and endorsements.
A bit of legwork to check if something is the real deal may seem like a pain, but it could prevent you from being scammed.
What To Do If You’re Scammed
Even with all the safeguards, scams can still get through. Here’s what to do if you become a victim.
- Report It
Contact your local authorities immediately to report the scam. You may also report this to your local action-fraud organisations, like Cyber Crime (India), Action Fraud (UK), Scamwatch (Australia) or the Federal Trade Commission (USA).
- Inform the Job Board
Notify the platform where you saw the listing so that they can investigate and remove the scam. This protects other job seekers from making the same mistake.
- Watch Your Finances
If you have shared banking or financial information, contact your bank immediately. They can assist you in monitoring for fraudulent activity — or securing your accounts.
- Learn from the Experience
Think back on the situation to see what warning signs you missed, which may help you avoid these kinds of schemes in the future.
Resources for Staying Safe
Here are a few resources to help keep you safe as you search for jobs — and to report scams when necessary.
- Cyber Crime (India): https://cybercrime.gov.in/
- Action Fraud (UK) — https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
- Scamwatch (Australia): https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
- USA Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/
- LinkedIn Safety Centre: https://safety.linkedin.com/
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): https://www.bbb.org/
With these links bookmarked, easily access them whenever you need.
Safe Narrative to Follow When Job Searching
The increase in digital marketing job scams is an unfortunate reminder of the need to stay alert during your job search. By learning about common scam strategies, spotting red flags and verifying job offers, you can significantly minimise your chances of being targeted.
Keep in mind to follow your gut. If something doesn’t feel quite right, stop and check it out further.
