Have you received an unsolicited job offer? Cybercriminals target students promising jobs and compensation. Often sent via email, students are routinely offered fake employment opportunities that are designed to steal your money, or lead to other harmful consequences.
Common signs of employment scams:
- An e-mail that states “Message sent from a system outside of UConn” despite the email appearing to be sent from an @uconn.edu email account.
- An offer for a job opportunity you did not apply for.
- A request for you to deposit a check on behalf of the “employer.”
- A request for you to share your information.
- A requirement that you contact the “employer” to continue the “hiring” process over text or phone.
Tips to avoid being scammed:
- Be skeptical of scammers posing as UConn officials; even when the email appears to come from a @uconn.edu emails address, you must be cautious as cybercriminals can imitate UConn email accounts.
- Review the company’s online presence. Does the company have a website? Do they have contact information easily available?
- Do not send money to a company that wants to hire you. A legitimate company will never ask you to pay them.
Concerns?
If you receive an e-mail that you suspect is an employment scam, do not engage with the sender. If you have ever engaged with the malicious actor and believe you have been defrauded, please report the matter to the police.
Remember, if an offer is too good to be true… it probably is.