Is That Remote IT Job Real? How To Verify An Offer And Avoid Being Scammed

Remote IT jobs are being flooded with applicants as many professionals want to do their tasks in non-traditional work modes and environments. As a result, more companies have started offering hybrid or work-from-home roles. According to data compiled by the World Economic Forum, technology jobs are expected to make up 10 percent of all global digital jobs by 2030. In the coming years, we can expect to see more work-from-home job openings in software development, data analysis, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, among others, as lots of roles in these tech sectors can be done remotely. 

Since online job boards and social media platforms will be filled with IT job postings, you can expect cybercriminals and scammers to infiltrate these spaces as they aim to trick job seekers into sending money or revealing sensitive information. To stay safe online, you’ll need to be aware and vigilant at all times while applying for jobs. Here’s how to verify job offers and avoid being scammed while you’re on the hunt for a remote IT role. 

Check the Company’s Online Presence

So you just got an offer for a remote IT job with a startup, and it has an attractive salary package and plenty of perks. But are you sure that the company even exists? If you get an offer that seems too good to be true, verify the business’s online presence to make sure that they’re real. This should be your first step to avoid falling victim to a recruitment scam. Ideally, the tech company should have an official and professional-looking website, a verified company page on LinkedIn, and positive reviews on Glassdoor, Indeed, Kununu, or Vault.

The business should also have a verified physical address and contact numbers, as well as an official email address. Be cautious if they only have a generic email address like Yahoo, Hotmail, or Gmail. Also, most tech sites post on multiple job boards, so cross-reference job listings and check if the job is listed on the company’s career page. 

Watch Out for Shady Tactics

If you received a job offer through social media or a text message, this could be a potential red flag, so be on the lookout for shady tactics or unusual interview behavior. For instance, if the recruiter insists on conducting all your interviews through text or instant messaging apps, that’s a sure sign of a scam. Even if you’re applying for a remote role, the interview process should involve at least a phone call or a video interview on Zoom or Microsoft Teams with the cameras on. 

Check their messages and the job offer letter for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. You should also see if the job description has specific details about the role, responsibilities, and day-to-day tasks since a legitimate recruiter should be able to properly convey all the important points of the job that they’re offering. If the recruiter only offers vague answers about these matters, or if they dodge questions about the job, then take it as a warning sign.  

Another red flag that you should be on the lookout for is if the recruiter is unable to answer questions about compensation, benefits, company culture, and perks. They could say that another person or HR will be in touch to discuss these matters with you, and while that seems reasonable, the recruiter could just be stalling and trying to get you to accept the job offer right away. You have every right to be suspicious if they pressure you to take the job, or if they tell you that they’re in talks with another candidate and that it’s in your best interest to accept the offer now. 

Be Wary of Strange Requests

A recruiter will typically ask you to provide information such as job experience, certifications, and educational background to gauge if you’re fit for the remote IT job. However, if they ask for sensitive information such as your social security number, bank details, or credit card information during your first interview, this is a sure sign of a scam since these info are usually requested on the first day of onboarding, which takes place after you officially accept the job offer. Never send sensitive information, and avoid clicking on links that they send you since these could contain malware that’s designed to steal data. 

More importantly, ignore any requests to send money since the recruiter may say that a certain amount is needed to cover the cost of training materials, laptop or equipment shipping costs, or background checks. A legitimate tech company will never require you to pay any pre-employment costs, so if someone asks you to send money during the pre-employment process, ignore them and cut off all communication immediately to avoid being scammed.

Scammers are taking advantage of the global demand for remote IT jobs. Always exercise caution and be on the lookout for recruitment red flags while applying for jobs. If you identify a scam, don’t hesitate to contact job boards to prevent others from becoming victims of these shady recruitment practices.

Also Read: How a good payment gateway reduces transaction failure rates