Scam Job Postings

Fraudulent Job Postings Warning

If you feel uncomfortable or unsure about an email or job posting, it is always best to pursue another opportunity. If you have questions about a position posted through the Handshake system, feel free to call or email.

Call E-mail

 

The Department of Career Planning & Development (DCPD) offers Handshake as a resource for the convenience of students and alumni who are seeking internships, co-op, work experience, part-time, temporary, volunteer opportunities and full-time career-related jobs. Nationally, career services departments are reporting an uptick in fraudulent postings to online platforms. DCPD staff relies on students to notify us if they feel a posting is potentially fraudulent. 

    1. Report to local police department immediately if you receive a check in the mail, and DO NOT attempt to cash it.

    2. Contact KSU Career Planning and Development staff at careerctr@kennesaw.edu and attach or copy all communications between you and the contact person or call us at 470-578-6555 and ask to speak with Ryan Whitfield or Robin Knight.
      Call E-mail

       

    3. Contact your Bank: If you have sent money to a fraudulent employer, immediately contact your bank or credit card company to protect the account and dispute any charges.

    4. File a Report with the FTC: Please report the job scam to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, which collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft. 

      File a Report

    1. You have been contacted through an email account that is not identified with the organization name; they use a general email address like gmail, or they say they received your resume from your school career center, and it does not mention KSU specifically. The email does not contain a job title or job # to refer back to identify the position, or they are requesting your contact information again after you have already submitted your resume through the system.

    2. You are asked to deposit checks, make bank transfers, or make any type of transaction through your own bank account for suppliers or vendors.

    3. You must give your credit card or bank account numbers, or they are requesting copies of personal documentation before or during the interview period, they want to send you a check to purchase supplies, are asked to send a payment by wire service or courier, are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of your bank account - often for depositing checks or transferring money.

    4. You receive an unexpectedly large check in the mail. DO NOT attempt to cash it or deposit it into your account. Contact your local police department immediately.

    1. Review employer Handshake trust score and flags in the system, and compare website and/or LinkedIn to confirm that company domain and email address match.

    2. Decline "User Account" if domain does not match "Company Name" and email used in request to access the system and provide information in registration area with reason(s) the request has been declined, along with action to take if we will reconsider after changes have been made to the request.

    3. Contact listed user in Handshake if notified of fraudulent behavior and/or block immediately if reported by Handshake Safety and Security Team.

    4. Advise student to contact local police department immediately if a check has been received--DO NOT attempt to cash it. Advise student to send an email to Career Planning and Development including copy of all communications between employer representative and student. If there has been fraudulent contact, refer legitimate employer contact information to student for filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

      E-mail

    5. Flag employer, contact(s), and/or job posting as fraudulent when needed; and provide the reason why it is suspicious and details in the FLAG section within Handshake / (CMS) Career Management System. The Handshake Trust and Safety Team will suspend or archive within 48 hours, depending on investigation. 

    6. Notify all student applicants of fraudulent activity using the email option within Handshake / (CMS) Career Management System and include specific details and process to safeguard personal information. Record in “Notes” and/or FLAG section within Handshake. 

 Handshake

Students and Alumni at KSU use Handshake for career resources, advising, and finding job postings for internships, co-ops, part-time, full-time, & on-campus positions.

Complete Your Handshake Profile MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR CAREER & INTERNSHIP ADVISOR

Recognize & Avoid Job Scams

Some job scams are easy to spot, while others appear legitimate. Scammers advertise jobs the same way legitimate employers do — online (in ads, on job sites, and social media), in newspapers, and sometimes on TV and radio. Recognize common signs of a scam, what to do if you were scammed, and how to avoid scams. We have compiled the resources provided on this page for your convenience. However, please contact us if you suspect fraudulent behavior.

Never

  • Give out personal information like your social security, credit card, or bank account number over email or phone.
  • Take cashier’s checks or money orders as a form of payment. Fake checks are common and the bank where you cash it will hold you accountable.
  • Cash a check that comes with “extra” money. Scammers send checks that require you to deposit a check at your bank, withdraw the “extra” money as cash, and then deposit that cash elsewhere. The check will bounce and you will be held accountable.
  • Agree to purchase gift cards or equipment for an employer.
  • Wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram, or any other service. Anyone who asks you to wire money is a scammer.
  • Apply for jobs listed by someone far away or in another country.
  • Agree to a background check unless you have met the employer in person.
  • Apply for a job that is emailed to you out of the blue.

Always

  • Review jobs thoroughly. If a job is offering a lot of money for very little work, it could be a scammer trying to get personal information from you.
  • Research a potential new employer, ask your friends and family if they know about them, and utilize BBB Scam Tracker.
  • Check employer messages carefully for typos and incorrect grammar, as well as non-professional email addresses, like gmail.com.
  • Trust your instincts. If a job sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam. Pursue another opportunity if you feel uncomfortable.
  • Resist the pressure to act immediately. Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.

Our goal is to provide accurate job listing information; however, we make no representations or guarantees about positions posted by fraudulent contacts. You are responsible for your own safety, wages, and working conditions. 

If you think a job listing on Handshake platform is suspicious, let us know! Please include all details about why you believe it may be a scam. 

Call E-mail

Report Job Scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

File a report with the FTC and watch the short video on how to report scam, and other ways to avoid a scam.

File a Report

*Information has been adapted from the University of Colorado Boulder and Rutgers