Boston Job seekers who look for opportunities on Web sites like Craigslist are vulnerable to scams. Don’t get me wrong. Craigslist is a great job search tool because companies can list Boston Job Opportunities for free, so you’ll find opportunities that you won’t find on job board Web sites like Monster. But, the site has its faults. Anyone can post to Craigslist, and no one double checks the authenticity of the postings, so people can easily masquerade as a trustworthy entity.

A common type of fraud to be aware of is “phishing.” Someone may impersonate a hiring manager or a Boston Recruiter at a business and post a fraudulent job opportunity in an attempt to attain your personal, sensitive information. In order to avoid becoming a victim of phishing attacks, remember the following:

1.  Never submit your credit card, bank account, or PIN number through a Web site landing page. Fake Web sites that you’re directed to from a link can look almost identical to legitimate ones.

2.  If a Boston Job posting asks for your social security number and date of birth BE AWARE. You’re usually required to submit this information as part of a formal, written, job application. But, it is uncommon for Boston Recruiters to ask for this personal information prior to an in-person interview. You should NOT be asked to provide this information over the Internet.

3.  Know who you are sharing your personal information with and how this information will be used:

• Get the recruiter’s name, company, and phone number.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/) and your local Chamber of Commerce to verify the business’ legitimacy.
• Call the company to make sure the Boston Recruiter is actually an employee.

4.  ALERT! Be suspicious of anyone who asks for money in exchange for   finding you a job. Working with a recruiter should not cost you anything!

5.  Be aware of work-at-home scams that require an upfront fee.

When you are in doubt of a Boston Job posting’s authenticity, it is best to not share any personal information. If you feel you have been “phished,” immediately contact your bank and credit card companies.

Other folks you can call if you feel you have been a victim of fraud:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

• FTC online complaint form (http://www.ftc.gov)
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov)
• Software Piracy (http://www.siia.net/piracy/report.asp)
• Non-emergency number for your local police department.

Be smart. Be aware. And if in doubt, ask your friends or someone with Internet savvy for advice.