Threat actors are increasingly using fake ads as a method to target sensitive information, often employing social engineering techniques like phishing to trick individuals into revealing login credentials, financial details, and other personally identifiable information. These fake ads can appear legitimate, disguising themselves as job postings, legitimate businesses, or even seemingly harmless advertisement. Township Police recommends any potential job seekers do their due diligence prior to applying for any listings. Conducting simple searches could protect applicants from falling victim to exploitation from foreign adversaries or criminals. Conducting research on the company could aid in verifying a legitimate institution as well as fraudulent websites posing as legitimate potential employers. Take additional steps to verify job listings on the hiring company’s own website or Human Resources department if the original listings were found on networking, social media, or other external sites.
Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So the name and number you see might not be real. They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there’s a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information.
Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect. Honest organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers. If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s real, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy. Or look up their phone number. Don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID.
Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone — a friend, a family member, a neighbor — what happened. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.
Any suspicious e-mails should be forwarded to the fraud department of the actual company the e-mail claims to be from (check the company’s website).
If you’ve received a suspected fraud through the U.S. Mail, or if the mail was used in furtherance of a crime that began on the internet, telephone or in person, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You can also visit their fraud website for more information: Fraud Tips and Prevention
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, works to prevent fraud and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid it.
As always, any questions or concerns please contact the Township of Washington Police Desk at 201-664-1140.
