The Jobs Scam Report podcast, hosted by Mark Anthony Dyson, discussed recent layoff trends, the associated rise in job scams, and strategies to avoid them.
Panelists Jay Jones and Ashley Price Horton shared insights on scam red flags, evolving scammer tactics—including deepfakes and AI-generated content—and best practices for job seekers, with emphasis on cyber security.
The group highlighted new security threats, the importance of password management, and the dangers of sharing personal information.
Announcements were made for upcoming events and projects, and Russell Herby was absent due to work commitments.
Action Items
Jay Jones: Continue tracking and publicly reporting on fake job scams and profiles; post warnings and scam alerts as new examples arise.
Ashley Price Horton: Continue sharing job opportunities and cybersecurity tips on LinkedIn; support clients in reaching the $3M job offers goal by end of July.
Mark Anthony Dyson: Release the interview with Lance Spitzner (SANS Institute) on text messaging scams; follow up on pending confidential projects.
All Panelists: Monitor developments in deepfake/AI scams and update followers as new threats emerge.
Layoffs, Scams & Job Market Trends
Major recent layoffs reported at Intel, Microsoft, and Lululemon; layoffs create new opportunities for scammers to target job seekers.
Public sites like WARN Act, layoff.com, and Reddit are valuable resources for identifying upcoming layoffs and related scam activity.
Alumni groups of affected companies (e.g., Microsoft) have become important channels for sharing insider information and avoiding scams.
Job seekers advised to research thoroughly before applying, using forums such as Glassdoor and Reddit, and to be wary when accepting offers from recently downsized firms.
Red Flags & Evolving Scam Tactics
Classic scams are resurfacing, including fake recruiter messages and right-to-represent (RTR) email scams.
Empathy-based messaging is increasing, with scammers leveraging current events (e.g., layoffs) to appear more credible.
Scammers are recycling old techniques, including using stolen images, fake websites, and exploiting short public memory.
Rise of "donation saboteurs" exploiting GoFundMe and similar platforms for scams.
Advice: Ignore/block/delete suspicious contacts, but also publicly report and comment to warn others, enhancing collective protection.
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Job Seekers
Never reuse passwords; use unique, strong passwords for each account and change them every six months.
Use reputable password managers (e.g., Bitwarden), enable multi-factor authentication, and secure primary email with a unique password.
Avoid including sensitive information (e.g., home address) on resumes unless absolutely necessary; government job applications are exceptions and require accuracy.
When companies require an address in an online form, consider using a PO box or local address unless applying for federal roles.
Be aware of the dangers from fake federal resume writers, who may solicit sensitive personal information under false pretenses.
Use a VOIP number for job search applications and avoid unnecessary disclosure of personal data.
Deepfakes, AI, and Advanced Scam Technology
Deepfake technology is rapidly improving and being used by scammers to create convincing fake interviews, videos, and social media content.
Recent examples include AI-generated interviewees and altered images that evade reverse image searches.
Job seekers and professionals are cautioned to verify digital communications and video authenticity, expecting scams to become more sophisticated.
Community & Platform-Specific Threats
LinkedIn and other social networks are inundated with fake profiles, many of them premium and aged, making detection and removal difficult.
Even verified and established accounts can be hacked or mimicked to perpetuate scams.
Companies and recruiters are encouraged to bring more attention to this issue, as fake recruiting affects both candidates and corporate reputations.
Panelists urge continuous vigilance and reporting to both platforms and broader networks.
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Ashley is working towards reaching $3 million in job offers for her clients by July’s end, sharing opportunities and success stories on LinkedIn.
Jay to present scam avoidance strategies in a July talk with B Wise, has launched a new podcast and newsletter with 2,000+ subscribers.
Mark to release new content on scam avoidance and announce future projects as details become public.
Decisions
Emphasis on Public Reporting and Education — Panelists agree that actively reporting and publicizing scams is more effective than just blocking, as it collectively improves awareness and prevention.
Open Questions / Follow-Ups
How universally will the federal two-page resume rule be applied across agencies, and what is the official implementation timeline?
Continue monitoring the effectiveness of Google’s and other image/search tools for detecting altered scammer images.
Await further details and public announcements about Mark’s confidential projects.