Lecture Notes: Awareness and Protection Against Text-Based Job Scams

Introduction

• Prevalence of Job Scams: Rapid increase in scams via text messages offering jobs.
• Example Case: Sunita Dhougoda received a scam job offer disguised as a legitimate opportunity from "Emily at Robert Half International Recruitment".

Current Statistics and Trends

• Reported Cases: Reports increased from about 9,000 in 2023 to over 20,000 in 2024.
• Financial Impact: Losses rose from $14.8 million in 2023 to $61.2 million in 2024.
• Trend Analysis: Scammers prefer texting due to faster response rates (texts usually opened within 90 seconds).

Scamming Techniques

• Text Message Scams: Immediate response driven nature makes texting effective for scammers.
• Task Scams: Scams beginning with text messages about online tasks, leading to financial loss for unsuspecting individuals.
• Psychological Factors: The natural instinct to quickly respond to texts, especially under the guise of job opportunities.

Economic Context

• Job Market Overview: Layoffs and competitive job market conditions increase susceptibility to scams.
• Applicant Increase: LinkedIn data shows a 70% increase in job applications since 2022.
• Worker Sentiment: Low confidence in finding or keeping a job.

Protection Strategies

• General Advice:
  • Ignore unsolicited job offers via text messages.
  • Real employers don't contact through unsolicited texts or emails.
  • Use smartphone features to report spam messages.
• Reporting Scams:
  • Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • For identity theft concerns, visit identitytheft.gov.
• LinkedIn Specific Tips:
  • Look for verification badges on job postings.
  • Filter jobs to show verified postings only.
  • Enable warning messages for harmful content.

Psychological Insights

• Victim Guilt: Victims often feel ashamed of falling for scams, but it's important to recognize the sophistication and organization behind these scams.
• Public Awareness: Use social media to share experiences and warn others about scams.

Conclusion

• Artificial Intelligence Factor: AI is making scams more convincing with flawless grammar and compelling pitches.
• Call to Action: Stay vigilant, report suspicious messages, and help raise awareness by sharing information with others.