Job Scams And ID Theft-Safety Tip Of the Week

Reprint of
“Job Search Scams: 6 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

As U.S. unemployment has increased, so too has the number of job search scams identity theft rings are perpetrating against desperate job seekers.

Two types of job search scams are most common. One is a phishing scam, where identity theft perpetrators e-mail would-be victims to tell them about potential jobs and opportunities to make extra money. The e-mails direct recipients to websites that identity thieves have created specifically for gathering personal information, just as if it were a job application, says Oaks.

These fake applications request all the information job seekers would expect to provide, such as their name, address and phone number, as well as for information they may not expect to offer so early in the process, she adds, such as their Social Security number, permission to conduct a background check and bank account information.

“They tell you they need your bank account information so they can make sure your check can be direct deposited,” she says, adding that they’ll sometimes go so far as to say that they’ll place money in your account and then remove it just to make sure it works.

“By allowing them to place money in your account and remove it, you let your bank know that this ‘employer’ can take money out of your account, and that’s how they wipe out people’s bank accounts.” Never mind the fact that you’ll never receive any information about any job from one of these e-mails.

In the second scam, identity thieves pose as employers on legitimate job search sites. They post a generic job that would appeal to a large number of people, Oaks says, and in the course of talking to applicants, they ask for personal information.

“There are identity thieves all over valid and existing job search websites who are posing as employers,”

Advice to job seekers is simple: Be wary of the information you’re sharing and at which point in the hiring process you’re sharing it.

Here are six specific tips:

1. Never share your bank account information up front.
2. Never share your Social Security number up front.
3. Never agree to a background check up front.
4. Research potential employers.
5. Consider sharing less information on your resume.
6. Opt out. When you sign up for e-mail newsletters and offers from legitimate businesses, opt out of
receiving offers from their third-party business partners.”

Feedback on these posts is welcomed. Have you ever been a victim of ID theft? Please share your experience. We want to hear your thoughts.

The Home Security Superstore is one of the oldest and largest independent distributors of high quality home security, surveillance, spy, self-defense, survival and safety products. We carry a wide range of self-defense products including tasers, stun guns, pepper sprays and other nonlethal weapons that can save your life in the event of an attack.

Filed under: identity theft, job search scams, safety tip of the week, scams, ID theft, safety tip of the week, scams

Home Security- Home Invasion Scams- The Most Recent

Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere or in a cave, you have no doubt heard about home invasions. They are a home burglary on steroids. They are much more dangerous than a regular home burglary. And here’s why.

A home burglary, traditionally, is done by one person who is unarmed. The home burglar is usually a rookie who is out to make some quick money by stealing things that belong to other people. He certainly doesn’t want to get caught and will flee at the slightest amount of resistance in the form of lighting, noise or anything else that might scare him away.

A home invasion is done by two and more people who are usually armed and are intent on inflicting injury if they don’t get what they want. Threats of harm and even bodily harm are part of their modus operandi. You don’t want to be the victim of a home invasion.

Home burglary is bad enough but at least no one gets hurt. Home invasion is much more serious.

How do home invaders get into your home? Surprisingly, they get in right through the front door. If you are like I used to be, when somebody rang my doorbell or knocked on my door. I reflexively opened the door without seeing who was there. I have changed my ways since home invasion came into vogue.

One of the best scams to get into your front door is the home invaders posing as utility meter readers, service repair technicians and even policeman.

It shows the level of determination that home invaders will go to get you to open the front door. Once the front door is opened an inch they will force their way in. Then all hell breaks loose. See who is at your front door first with a HOME SECURITY CAMERA

Here’s a scenario for you. There is a knock on your front door go to the front door and look through your peephole to see two men in uniforms. They claim to be from the utility company to fix something. You ask for identification and they hem and haw around but don’t produce anything. You get suspicious and call the police.

In another scenario two people dressed as policeman are at your door. Your first reaction is to let them in. But you don’t see a police car. So you call your neighborhood watch contact number and ask that someone be sent to check them out.

These are both examples of homeowners who did the right thing and prevented sure disaster.

Always ask for identification. Look through your front window to see if there’s a vehicle associated with the company they claim to be working for. Just because they’re carrying a toolbox doesn’t mean they’re authentic. Look for a company patch on uniforms. Be suspicious of someone who shows up unannounced. Especially single elderly seniors can be great targets for these low-lifes because they are so trusting and naïve.

The Home Security Superstore is one of the oldest and largest independent distributors of high quality home security, surveillance, spy, self-defense, survival and safety products. We carry a wide range of self-defense products including Tasers, stun guns, pepper sprays, and other non-lethal weapons that can save your life in the event of an attack.

Filed under: covert spy cameras, hidden spy cameras, home burglary prevention, home invasion prevention, home invasions, home security, scams, spy cameras, covert spy cameras, hidden cameras, hidden spy cameras, home security, home security cameras