Student Job Scam
Posted: 2010-12-21 08:22:07 Expiration: 2010-12-28 08:22:07
Campus IT security authorities have become aware of a job board scam that is targeting job-hunting students, particularly those graduating right now. Based on the early feedback from about a half dozen affected students from another institution, here is what happens.
Campus IT security authorities have become aware of a job board scam that is targeting job-hunting students, particularly those graduating right now. Based on the early feedback from about a half dozen affected students from another institution, here is what happens.
A student posts their resume on a job board. A representative from a valid company name contacts them about a job. At least one student insisted that the contact came through the institution's career services system, but there is no record of that company name in the system. The company rep does not meet with the student, but conducts a phone interview, tells the student that the student is hired, and sends the student a "bonus" signing check. The student evidently is told to provide their name, address, SSN, and banking information (for direct deposit of paycheck). Student provides info. Student deposits check, and finds out 3-10 days later that the check was fraudulent. Meanwhile, the student's bank account is emptied.
We are not exactly sure how
students are contacted by these fraudulent companies. There have been
examples in which students did not even apply to a job posting. There
have also been situations where hackers will reply to the student after
they reply to a certain company posting in a career services system.
If
you are a recent grad, or know someone who is, please let them know of
this scam. If you hear of this kind of activity on our campus, please
contact OCIS here: http://www.cio.wisc.edu/security/contact.aspx
-- UWHelpDesk: Ryan Hansen