How to Avoid Identity Theft while Searching for a Job in Singapore

Endowed with productive populations, the inability to provide employment remains one of the greatest challenges that nations face. As of the 3rd quarter of 2017, Singapore had an unemployment rate of 2.1%, This statistic is significantly low when compared to other global powerhouses, but still, there is more to what meets the eye. Another mind-blowing statistic is that Singapore is rated sixth in the world when it comes to any form of fraud; though this is a general statistic, it proves that scamming is quite high in Singapore. I know from first hand experience, having my credit card cloned recently in Clarke Quay.

There is nothing as tormenting as being broke and at the same time lacking a job, leading to desperation and falling prey to scammers. Below we will discuss some of the tactics used by scammers to rip you off your hard earned cash when job searching in Singapore. Many individuals have fallen prey to some of these tricks; hence it is essential to realise some of the red flags to look for in every job advert.

Red Flags While Searching for a Job

Recruiters asking for money – first thing to be aware of is that none of the iconic global companies will require you to part with a penny when applying for a new job. Most of these companies will absorb any costs that will be involved when applying for a post. So don’t be desperate because this will kill off any mojo left in you.

Due diligence – before applying for any job, always research it. It is the 21st century, and many companies if not all have a website, so if you don’t find any site or contacts linking the company to it, then you will need to be careful while applying for a new job. Furthermore, if you see companies which have no specific physical address, then this is another red flag to look out for while searching for a job.

Alternatively, you can always research legitimate companies using ACRA, though this is not the primary purpose of this website, it will help you narrow down on the legitimacy of every job offer advertised by a particular company. If that company is not among the list of registered companies in Singapore, then it is most probably a scam.

Financial details – if in any case you applied for a new job and they contacted you requesting you to give personal information especially those concerning your bank, before attending an interview, then this is probably a scam. The information you provide here can be used to acquire loans from credit institutions.

Phishing – one cruel disadvantage of technology is the fact that, some users are technologically savvy; hence information can be collected easily from you by phishing. Be warned! Do not open job websites that seem suspicious. Several cases have been reported where users open links to a site where your device gets pegged with a malware which collects information from it totally unaware. This information can include your bank account passwords.

Unprofessional emails – if you get emails from AOL, Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail then this is a red flag. Most companies have their customised business emails which are mostly system generated such that you cannot reply back. It is paramount to note that very few recruiters will use free email accounts.

Jobs without interviews – when you get offers that will require you to start work without attending a job interview, then this is most probably a scam. Most reputable companies will always carry out interviews to test your skills; this is one way they use to eliminate individuals while at the same time selecting the best.

Extraordinary salaries – the golden rule for a job scam has been to prey on your covetousness because most job scams will advertise posts that will give you high salaries than usual while requiring minimal qualifications. It is noteworthy to understand that, your skills and experience will determine your salary scale. Furthermore, most companies nowadays are shifting from the old rigid way of stating the salary when advertising for a particular post, to letting the applicant choose how much his services are worth for the company. This is a trick used by many recruiters to eliminate applicants.

Vague job descriptions – if you skim through the advert while searching for a job and by the end of it you don’t realise what is needed for that post, then this is probably another scam meant for gullible applicants. Most advertisements have clear descriptions alongside the minimal requirements for that post. These descriptions are usually clear and straight to the point. Therefore, it is prudent to avoid advertisements which have vague descriptions.

Research – when applying for a job, always compare details of the company that is present in Google and on social media networks with those of the advert, if they don’t match then that job advert is probably a scam. Alternatively, you can skim through their official website and check for any openings, if it is not mentioned, then almost certainly that advert is a scam.

Unsolicited job offers – when you receive emails of job interviews for a post you didn’t apply for, then this offer is most likely a scam. Remember most scams are always enticing, and as the saying goes, when the deal is too good to be true, it usually is, so always think twice to avoid falling prey to these scams.

Conclusion

The tribulations of an unemployed individual are always stressful when faced with the fact that you maybe broke, but it is essential to note that falling prey to these scams while searching for your perfect job can be more stressful than not having a job at all. The consequences of these scams trickle down to unemployed individuals or people who don’t enjoy their jobs as much and are looking for a new and better offer.

Some of the most straightforward scams include but not limited to; paying a fee for a job interview, free emails, getting job offers from companies without websites and receiving emails for job offers that you didn’t apply. The key to understanding these job scams is by checking a company’s official website career page and social media networks, by doing this, you will manage to avoid getting scammed.

Additionally, it is prudent to do your own due diligence while applying for a new job; this will save you from getting scammed.

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How to Avoid Identity Theft while Searching for a Job in Singapore