Job hunters: Don’t post phone numbers online

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Posting your resume on sites such as Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com might result in some annoying phone calls—and these calls may be part of a larger phone scam.

The calls seem to come from numbers like "223-038-0000" and "223-039-0000." In many cases, the caller hangs up or says nothing, only to call back a few moments later. Some job-seekers have reported that the caller invites them to a job fair.

It’s unclear whether the calls are part of some type of calling card scam or if the numbers culled from job hunting web sites have been lifted and then sold to telemarketing companies.

Online job seekers are often the target of scam artists—people looking for a great job can be vulnerable. But there are ways to protect yourself while using online job search sites:

• Be vigilant. It’s legitimate for employers to ask for information regarding your training, education and experience. But don’t give out proprietary information unless you’re much further into the interviewing process—and even then there’s almost never a reason to give your bank account or credit information.
• Do your own background check. If a potential employer approaches you, get their contact information and do some research. Call the number to make sure this person does actually work for said company. If you get emails from someone asking you to reply to a third party address, be wary.
• Limit your personal information. If you put your resume on a job search site, include only your e-mail address and a note that says you’ll provide your phone numbers to actual recruiters or employers once contacted.