Scam Alert: “Job Application Pending” Email

I recently received an email with the subject line “Job Application Pending”. Since I don’t have any job applications out, I knew something is fishy. But if you’ve been applying to jobs, then you need to be careful about emails like this. There are scammers who have no qualms about stealing from moms who simply want to be home with their children.

Here is what my email said (note grammar errors are not mine. That’s how the email came):

To: Leslie Truex

Hello Leslie,

Thank you for submitting your information for potential employment opportunities. We look forward to reviewing your application, but can not do so until you complete our internal application.

Prior to begin able to be considered, you will first need you to formally apply. Please go here to begin the process.

URL (removed for your safety)

Also the following perks are potentially available:

• Paid Time Off
• Health Benefits Package
• Higher than average salaries
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Extensive 401(k) program

Please take the time to follow the directions and complete the entire application process

***************************************

What makes this email difficult for you, the job hunter is that it’s personalized so it looks like it’s a response to an application you submitted. But there are several red flags including:

1. It doesn’t provide the name of the company or the job title to which you applied.
2. The name given of the sender doesn’t match the name in the sender email address.
3. It uses a shortened URL service instead of a web address that includes its domain name.
4. When I clicked the link, my virus protection popped up warning me about suspicious activity on the page.

My research on this scam reveals that it asks you to fill out information for a credit check to  “prove” you are a real person. Don’t fall for it. If you do, you’ll have given thieves a way to steal your identity, which can be very difficult to fix. Until you’re being hired, hold on to all your identifying information including your social security number.

To avoid this scam, keep a list of all the jobs you’ve applied to including the name of the company, the job title, and where you found the job (i.e. Craigslist). When you get emails from prospective employers, check that they match the jobs you’ve sent applications too. (Note: If you’re using a service like ODesk or Elance, you may get emails asking you to apply to jobs, but they’ll be accessible through the Odesk or Elance interface, and they will give you information about who’s contacting you and for what job.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Leslie Truex is the author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible (Adams Media). She has been telecommuting and running home businesses for over 15 years and helping others to work at home in jobs or home businesses since 1998. Get work-at-home jobs and other resources with her free newsletter at http://www.workathomesuccess.com