‘PM Tepi’ Fake Job Alert! 6 Red Flags You Should Never Ignore

The online world is filled with promise and vast opportunities. The flipside, however, is that there are also people taking advantage of the hope it gives by trying to trick the most vulnerable. Online fraud is a real threat, and over the past few years, even jobseekers have been targeted withPM tepiscams. Job scams are out there, and many have already fallen victim to them.

According to Malaysian officials, RM4.6 million has been swindled through job hiring scams from January to August 2021. Victims, mostly individuals looking for part-time work to boost their income, responded to “PM tepi” posts on social media that turned out to be job scams.

With the pandemic causing many challenges to the workforce, from unemployment to decreases in salary, more people than ever are understandably looking for more opportunities to supplement their income. One of the consequences of the demand for jobs is that there have also been increased opportunities for fraud.

As job recruitment scams grow prevalent on the internet, jobseekers need to keep their guard up. Being able to tell the difference between a job scam and a legitimate job ad can mean the difference between losing money and earning money. Let us dive deeper so that you can learn how to avoid job scams.

Telltale signs that it is a job scam

1. If it is too good to be true, then chances are, it is!

Getting paid much money for doing elementary tasks is a dream scenario for anyone. Who would not want to earn as much as they can in the easiest way possible? For instance, you see a “PM tepi” post offering RM5,000 per day just to do simple tasks like liking social media posts or posting pre-written replies. The employer even allows you to choose your work schedule! How can you say no?

Everyone would love to take that job—if it were real, that is. But jobs that sound too good to be true are usually not real jobs. More often than not, they are job scams. People who fall victim toPM tepiscams are usually attracted by the promise of high pay and easy work, which is an ideal combination for those looking for part-time jobs or those with little or no work experience.

Remember: high-paying jobs are usually given to people with more experience or higher levels of expertise. If you want to get hired for a high-paying job, there are many legitimate ways to do so. You can gain more experience or even upskill to qualify for jobs outside your level of expertise. Nothing in life comes easy. Your career should definitely not be an exception, as it should be earned and developed naturally through hard work and a willingness to grow.

2. The hirer communicates exclusively through social media.

If a supposed hirer reaches out to you through social media, then you should already be sceptical. The same goes with job ads that end with “PM tepi”, prompting people to start conversations through direct messaging.

Most hirers from legitimate companies communicate primarily through email, phone, or messaging apps where their actual identities are shown. Some may message candidates through social media but will eventually move to more formal means of communication as talks advance.

If an alleged head-hunter only messages through social media and has no other contact information, then maybe it is time to ignore those message alerts. When in doubt, always search for information about the company online. All companies that operate legally will always have an online presence, so it is likely a job scam if your search does not yield any results.

If a hirer is claiming to be affiliated with a certain company, you can check the company’s website or social media if the job is also being advertised there. You can also email the company or message one of their representatives to confirm whether the job offer is genuine or not.

3. The company sends you suspicious emails.

Communicating via email does not automatically make a hirer legitimate. In fact, you can spot a job recruitment scam based on the contents of the email.

Is the message coming from an official company email address? If it is coming from a personal email address or one that is unrelated to the company it claims to represent, then the job ad could be a scam.

You can also tell from how the email is written. If it is not written professionally and filled with grammatical errors, the offer may likely be fake. Always check from whom the email is. If it is from a proper hirer, you must be able to search the person through social media or within the company’s official website.

4. The hirer asks you for your personal details.

Real job hirers are only interested in the things in your resume: your work and educational background, expertise, and basic personal information. Beyond that, no company will have an actual use for any additional information, such as your bank details or social security number. You should only give this private information once the company employs you.

People asking for more information from you than job hirers typically need might be after something else. Beware of job ads or job offers that require personal details that you are not comfortable sharing.

5. You get instant job offers—with no application needed!

If someone reaches out to you online with an outright job offer, that is a serious red flag. Pause and think about this seeming opportunity. A typical job offer comes after a thorough job application, which involves submitting a resume and cover letter, a proper screening of candidates by the hirer, and a formal job interview. It is not handed out freely and randomly to anyone with an email address or a social media account.

Some job hiring scammers will claim to have seen your credentials online and have deemed you qualified for the job. Even if this were true, the fact that they did not screen you further suggests that they are not taking their talent search seriously.

Hiring an employee is a process that usually takes weeks. In contrast, job scams are usually urgent in nature and require quick action.

6. They ask you for money.

Job scammers were able to take millions of ringgit from jobseekers last year. How?  They convinced their victims to shell out money as part of their job, with the promise of getting an even larger amount down the line.

Employers asking for your money are among the biggest red flags when looking at job ads or job offers. If you have to pay to apply for a job, it is likely not real. When you encounter such fraudulent individuals, report them to the proper authorities so they stop victimising more people.

Do not give your credit card information to fake job sites either. Real job sites offer a premium service before asking for your credit card information, so make sure you read everything the website says before making any financial decision. However, as a general rule, applying for jobs online should not cost anyone.

The best way to avoid job search scams is to use only the most trusted online job resources. At JobStreet, you can search for the #JobsThatMatter to you for free and with no extra cost at our jobs search page.

As a leading partner of the top employers in Malaysia, JobStreet ensures that you are always connected to real hirers through their official communications. You can browse through legitimate companies here.

To make sure that you get the best job fit for you, update your JobStreet profile regularly so the right employers can find you as you seek passion and purpose in a new career. When you are ready to work, just add #WorkNow to your profile, so you can get that dream job right away. For more expert insights and helpful tips on growing your career, visit the Career Resources Hub.