Text interview scams: how to verify if a job is real

In our age, scammers are everywhere, especially on the Internet, particularly when it comes to job-hunting. As tech giants are laying off more and more people, this kind of scam that targets the newly unemployed individual is on the rise.

Even more, according to the Los Angeles Times, fake job scams are skyrocketing online, and they’re getting even better to detect. So, if you’re currently looking for a job, especially in IT, but in other fields as well, be aware of it.

You can always use these tools when it comes to cybersecurity. But you should also be aware of any suspicious texts that you come across. This Reddit user, for example, received a scam text from a so-called ‘interviewer’ asking them to download Microsoft Teams for a text chat-based interview.

A lot of users said that they receive these texts on a monthly basis, sometimes even 2 or 3 times a month. The variations might be different, but they all end up with the interviewer asking you to download Microsoft Teams.

So what can you do if it happens?

Text interviews scam: how can you verify if a job is real

There isn’t a proper direct way to find out if a job is real or not, because if you try to ask the interviewer if the job is real, the scammer will always say it’s real.

But you should consider the following points.

1. Are you currently looking for a job? If yes, to how many have you applied recently, in the last 2 weeks, and which industries do you prefer?
2. What’s your method of applying? Have you applied to jobs on LinkedIn?
3. Is your phone number listed on your CV?
4. Do you keep track of your applications?
5. Do you verify the information before applying?

These are some questions that you must answer, especially when you’re receiving suspicious texts from interviewers.

To verify if a job is real, usually, the interviewer will call you. They will almost never text you, and if they do, then it’s through e-mail.

Secondly, an interviewer will usually schedule a video call with you, or a physical meeting, depending on the job. That’s required because it’s an essential part of the HR recruiting process.

Thirdly, some companies conduct interviews on Microsoft Teams, Skype, or any other similar app, but up until that moment, usually you need to exchange an oral conversation with an HR recruiter, at least.

Depending on the position, you’ll be required to give a test, but usually, you’ll get the details on your e-mail, not your phone.

And finally, do your due diligence. If there is a name and a company mentioned in the text, look them up online, on LinkedIn, then look up for the company.

If you’re not sure, call the company’s HR department, and tell them all about the text and offer that you received. And ask them to confirm the texts, or not. Usually, this is the moment where you’ll realize something doesn’t add up.

The last thing that you can do, is to propose them a video call. This will usually confirm if they are scammers or not.

If you have experienced it, let us know in the comments section below.