In the world of online job hunting, it’s essential to stay cautious and avoid falling into the traps set by fraudulent companies. Recently, an online entity posing as a hiring authority for the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been exposed for its deceptive practices.
This fraudulent company, federaljobplacement.com, claims to offer high-paying USPS jobs and has been found to be operating with malicious intent. A cybersecurity research team discovered leaked data on 830,000 customers, including complete credit card records that were sold to third parties, possibly for future scams.
A lot is going on here. We will walk you through and show you how to avoid being scammed.
It’s really tough out there
You are searching for gainful employment. Why not try USPS? Competitive pay, regular salary increases, healthcare coverage and a pension. You Google something like USPS employment and click on one of the top results.
BOOM — you are taken to a page with a video of hard-working folks (including veterans) loading packages, delivering mail and driving trucks. Large text appears on the screen, boasting the benefits we listed above.
There are links to different positions, and it all seems legit. It even looks like the USPS site, right down to the logo. Just hand over your credit card information and you’re guaranteed a job or your money back.
Warning Signs
As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) state, “Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do. They operate online, in newspapers, on job sites, and social media, promising jobs while actually seeking your money and personal information”. The site in question charges $39, boasts hiring authority, and falsely claims a money-back guarantee, which, as per BBB reviews, is never fulfilled.
Confirmed Scam
Renowned cybersecurity journalist Nicole Perlroth conducted an extensive investigation, confirming federaljobplacement.com as a complete scam. This serves as a crucial public service announcement to protect job seekers from falling victim to fraudulent activities.
Beyond the scam, these malicious sites engage in copyright infringement, steal personal and financial data, and are embroiled in legal battles with the FTC. The exposed data breach revealed the sale of customer data dating back to 2015, including real-time payment records, usernames, and passwords handed over to cybercriminals in China.
The leak also exposed scammy behavior, such as using a name of Dennis V. Damp an author and a veteran federal employee for trust and reliability.
Protect Yourself
When seeking federal employment, be cautious and avoid companies promising guaranteed jobs for a fee. Instead, apply directly through the official channels of the post office. Remember, legitimate applications with the USPS are 100% free.
Stay Away from These Sites- To safeguard yourself, steer clear of the following fake federal employment websites:
- https://federaljobplacement.com/
- https://federaljobsassist.com/begin/
- https://federaljobs.net/
- https://postaljobs.net/
- https://www.uspostofficecareer.com/
Spread awareness and ensure that others are informed about these deceptive practices in the realm of online job searches. Stay vigilant and prioritize your online safety when exploring career opportunities.