INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
Best practices to avoid online recruitment fraud on African websites
The digital era has revolutionised job hunting , as more people turn to career portals and social media platforms like LinkedIn . While the online job market offers unprecedented access to opportunities , including short-term side gigs and remote work , it also opens up avenues for cybercriminals to exploit eager job seekers .
Carey van Vlaanderen , CEO ESET Southern Africa
“ Given the number of unemployed South Africans is estimated at 7.8 million and with the cost of living continuously rising , many job seekers are desperate to find any work that could help make ends meet ,” says Carey van Vlaanderen , CEO ESET Southern Africa .
Being vigilant about potential red flags and having a strong grasp of digital security best practices is crucial at the very outset of the job search process ,
Securing your online presence is as important as perfecting your CV . Ensuring your LinkedIn profile and other job-seeking platforms are fortified with strong privacy settings is the first line of defence against potential scams . This includes using strong , unique passwords and being mindful of the personal information that is displayed publicly .
A key aspect of a safe job hunt is recognising warning signs . According to the Skills Development Act , charging a job seeker a fee to be placed in a job is prohibited . Any upfront fees to be represented by a recruiter is also unlawful .
There is a notable increase in the sophistication of job scams where deceptive tactics often involve replicating job descriptions from legitimate companies , utilising authentic company logos , and sometimes even posing as company recruiters or HR staff .
In more elaborate schemes , scammers might create counterfeit websites and LinkedIn profiles , meticulously designed to mimic official company pages , with the aim of attracting unsuspecting job seekers .
Offers that promise high rewards for minimal effort , vague job descriptions , or requests for payment to secure an interview are glaring red flags . If a job offer or recruiter seems to evade direct questions or pressures you for personal information prematurely , it is a sign to proceed with caution .
It is important to scrutinise the profiles of recruiters – check their connections , endorsements , and the consistency of their online presence . In addition , cross-referencing job offers with official company websites can help verify their authenticity .
How to stay safe while searching for your dream job :
• Conduct extensive research on potential employers and verify job offers through multiple sources .
• Use LinkedIn ’ s privacy and security settings effectively to control the visibility of your profile .
• Be cautious with the amount and nature of personal information shared during the initial phases of job hunting .
• Leave your ID number off your digital CV .
• Legitimate companies will not ask for your financial details for the purposes of a credit check .
• Never provide your banking login details to anyone or respond to SMS messages that request your one-time pin , OTP .
• Report any suspicious activities or profiles to the platform administrators for further investigation .
• Trust your instincts and remember that if it seems too good to be true , it probably is .
• If you come across any job scams or illegal employment activities , cut all communication immediately . p
60 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com