Atlantic Blog

Job Scams

As job seekers are on the rise and the appeal of working from home is widespread, job scammers have taken notice in Maine. Job scams are advertised online (in ads, on job sites, and social media), in newspapers, and sometimes on TV and radio. They promise you a job but really want your money and personal information.

Some will try to gain access to your personal information, while others might solicit payments from you or try to get you to ship items for them that were illegally purchased.

Here are some of the major red flags:

• Trust your gut and verify the company. If it looks too good to be true, usually it is, especially if the pay is high, but they're not asking you to do much work or promising easy work-from-home opportunities.
• Beware if things are moving too quickly. This is especially true if they haven't tried to verify your work history or references.
• If they're asking for personal information (social security number, banking account information) before you're hired, do not give it out! That is a big red flag.
• If they ask you to pay for equipment sent to your home and promise to reimburse you – red flag! No work-from-home job will make you pay for your own equipment outright.

Identity Theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there is an identity theft case every 22 seconds. And you don't have to be on the computer to make this happen (although it makes it easier for them!). Stolen wallets, overheard phone conversations, and even leaving account statements in the trash can all increase your chances of being a victim. Additionally, those who are more open and active on social media have an increased chance of identity theft. They could impersonate you to purchase items, open new accounts, or apply for loans.

Here are some ways to protect yourself:

• Fraud Alert – Having a service with credit monitoring alerts like Savvy Money is crucial to recognizing if fraud is occurring and acting fast to prevent any more damage. If a scammer tries to open a new account or loan, you will get a notification and be able to act quickly.
• Reporting lost or stolen ID or debit/credit cards – It is critical to alert your financial institution if your identification, debit, or credit card has been lost or stolen. This will allow them to alert your account, cancel cards, and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.
• Avoid Job Scams – Referencing our first point, if you've been the victim of a job scam, that scammer may have vital information like your social security number, banking information, or other personal information. Staying vigilant against these bad actors is essential in keeping you and your money safe.

If you suspect you've been a victim of identity theft, follow these steps with Atlantic to mitigate the damage as soon as possible.  

Phishing

Phishing is a tactic in which a hacker will send out a text message or email made to look like it's from a legitimate site like Amazon, Netflix, or a financial institution. They will craft a message that will trick you into clicking on a link or button, ultimately having you input personal information that they will use against you. Protect yourself from phishing by reporting spam and not clicking on any links within these messages!

Here are steps to take if you think you're a Phishing victim:

• If you believe your financial account may be compromised because you responded to a request for information, contact your financial institution immediately.
• Consider closing any accounts that may have been compromised.
• Watch for any unexplainable charges to your account.
• Watch your credit reports for fraudulent activity.
• Contact the three credit bureaus to put a fraud alert on your information.

As always, do not hesitate to let us know if you've been a victim of any of these prevalent scams. There is no shame in being a victim, and we can take the necessary steps to mitigate any issues resulting from these criminal acts.

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