Interns and job seekers should be aware that they may encounter scammers and cybercriminals posing as potential employers to steal candidates’ money and personal information. This page provides guidance for identifying fraudulent postings, precautions you can take, and resources for reporting scams.
Employers posting on Handshake are screened and provided with BMCC’s policies and procedures. Nevertheless, users must do their due diligence before interviewing with or accepting an offer from any company posting a job listing on Handshake. Be advised that BMCC and the Center for Career Development do not make any representations or warranties about the parties that utilize Handshake or the accuracy of the information provided by the parties. Borough of Manhattan Community College and the Center for Career Development shall not be responsible for any damage or loss arising out of or related to your use of Handshake and the information contained therein.
Please keep in mind the following before providing personal information to an employer:
Identifying Fraudulent Postings
- The list below describes typical practices by employment scammers. You should be cautious if you answer “yes” to any of these questions.
- Does the job seem too good to be true? Does the posting or offer promise a large salary with minimal work required?
- Is the posting vague, or is the hiring process too simple? Are the qualifications described in the posting minimal (e.g., you must be 18 years old)? Were you hired immediately after a quick interview or no interview at all? Legitimate employers will want to know about your skills and experiences relevant to the position.
- Does the employer contact use a personal or email address that does not match the company name? Hiring managers and recruiters should always use an official company email address.
- Does the employer’s communication contain apparent errors? Does the employer send texts or emails with spelling errors, inappropriate capitalization, or poor grammar?
- Is it hard to find information about the employer? Does the employer not have a website? Or does their website have very little information? Are you unable to find information about the employer from other sources?
- Has the employer asked you to transfer funds or deposit checks? Does the position expect you to transfer or wire funds between accounts? This may be part of a money laundering scheme. Has the employer sent you a large check and requested you cash it using your personal bank account? Alternatively, has the employer asked you to pay upfront to secure your job? These actions are highly suspect, and you should stop communication immediately.
- Has the employer contact asked for personal information such as a Social Security number or bank account? Employers should only ask for your personal information after you have become an official employee. Do not provide personal information over the phone, text, or email.
For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Information on Job Scams.
Protecting Yourself from Fraudulent Employers
Throughout your job search, take the following precautions to protect yourself from potentially fraudulent employers:
- Research the Employer: Verify the employer’s legitimacy by looking them up online, reviewing their website, and checking the contact’s LinkedIn profile. If you’re unsure, contact the employer directly.
- Avoid suspicious Links and Communications: Don’t click on links or call numbers in suspicious emails. Always verify the email domain to match the company’s official domain.
- Protect Personal Information: Legitimate employers will never ask for personal or financial information via phone, email, or text.
- Do Not Rush: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into providing information. Take your time to verify the legitimacy of the request.
Reporting Suspicious Activity
- BMCC Public Safety: For immediate danger, contact the emergency line at 212-220-8080. For non-immediate threats, use the non-emergency line at 212-220-8000.
- Center for Career Development: Report suspicious communications to BMCC’s Center for Career Development at 212-220-8170 or career@bmcc.cuny.edu.
Federal Agencies:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Provides guidance on what to do next if you were scammed and how to report scams. For more information, visit the FTC Consumer Information on Job Scams.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center: Accepts reports of job scams and provides instructions for filing a complaint. For more information, visit the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
U.S. Department of Justice: Accepts reports of job scam incidents that have occurred over the Internet. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Justice
Additional Guidelines for BMCC Students and Alumni
Keep in mind the following before providing personal information to an employer:
Money/Financial Information:
• Do not give your personal bank account, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle account, or credit card numbers to a new employer.
• Do not agree to have funds or paychecks direct deposited into any of your bank accounts or wallets before you have started working for them. Most employers give the option of direct deposit or a paycheck on the first day or week of actual employment, on site—not before.
• Do not forward, transfer, send by courier (e.g., FedEx, UPS), or “wire” any
money/cryptocurrency to or for an employer using your personal account.
• Do not transfer money and retain a portion for payment.
Job Offers or Relief Funds:
• Do not respond to suspicious and/or “too good to be true” unsolicited job emails/phone calls/texts/etc. In general, applicants do not pay a fee to obtain a job (but there are some rare exceptions—so be careful and consult a professional at the Center for Career Development first).
• Watch out for grammar and spelling mistakes.
• Be wary if the scammer asks you to email another account or fill out a form outside their business email account.
• Be suspicious if you are told you have been hired for a job before submitting a resume or have yet to be interviewed for a company you do not remember applying to.
• Be cautious if informed you won Relief Funds for education due to economic events.
Job Interviews:
• Do not meet an employer for an interview at a suspicious location and/or time.
• If you are going on a job interview, let a friend or family member know when, where, and with whom you are meeting. Provide your friend or family members the name of the company and the name of the person you are meeting, the address of the interview, and company contact information such as a phone number and email.
Let Us Know
Please report any suspicious or scam activity immediately to the Center for Career Development so that we can prevent others from being affected. BMCC and the City of New York make no representations about the organizations that post job opportunities or the accuracy of the information provided by the organization on our site.
By following these guidelines, job and internship seekers can better protect themselves from fraudulent postings and phishing scams.
