Investigate Carefully When Searching for Your Dream Job

Maria, a recent community college graduate, fell victim to a sophisticated job scam after being contacted by a fake recruiter on LinkedIn. Promised a remote administrative assistant role with high pay and flexible hours, she underwent a brief interview via messaging app and was quickly “hired.” She was asked to provide sensitive personal information and later received a fraudulent check to purchase equipment. After transferring funds to a supposed supplier, her bank flagged the check as fake. Maria lost money and exposed herself to identity theft. Job scams exploit urgency and emotion, often mimicking legitimate companies. It also provides red flags and protective measures to help individuals avoid falling prey to such schemes.

Key Takeaways for Attorneys:

• Job scams increasingly target remote positions and use professional-looking communications.
• Victims are often pressured to act quickly and share sensitive data.
• Legal implications include identity theft, wire fraud, and impersonation.
• Advise clients to verify employers independently and avoid sharing personal data early.
• Scammers may impersonate real companies—due diligence is critical.
• Victims may need legal support for financial recovery and identity protection.

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These tips are courtesy of the ACBA Legal Technology and e-Discovery Committee, and the August, 2025 OUCH! Newsletter (a free monthly security awareness newsletter published by the SANS Institute).