The Queensland Police Financial and Cyber Crime Group are warning Queenslanders to remain vigilant to scams related to Coronavirus, or COVID-19, with one of the latest scams in circulation targeting job-seekers through fake online ads.
Queensland Police have received reports where scammers are posting legitimate-looking job ads on official jobseeker websites and asking ‘successful’ applicants for personal information as part of the application process, including:
• current residential address and phone numbers;
• personal bank details;
• tax file number;
• photocopies of passports, driver licences
usually to be uploaded via an email link or through their bogus website.
This information can be used by cybercriminals to carry out identity theft, including opening bank accounts or lines of credit in your name.
Some victims have also been asked to transfer money as part of the job application process.
How do I stay safe?
Police urge members of our community to be wary of advertisers or employers requesting the following:
- An upfront fee (e.g. for things such as ‘processing’ your application). A genuine advertiser or employer WILL NOT ask you for money or your bank or credit card details.
- Acceptance of a money transfer where you can retain a portion as ‘payment’.
- Bank or credit card details.
- A copy of your driver’s licence or passport information as part of the application process.
- Tax file number. This information should only be provided once you have accepted a genuine job offer.
- Non-work-related personal information, such as your appearance, or marital status. A recruiter should only need a résumé or CV with basic details about you during the initial stages of a job application.
- Any other personally identifying information.
Always check the legitimacy of any job advertisement, email or employer that seems suspicious before you respond. Large well-known companies, and now most medium sized business, usually do not include Hotmail or other free email addresses in their ads. If you have any concerns, call the company directly to verify. Check their website and other online presence (like social media profiles) through an independent online search.
You Decide, Not the Scammers – R U in Control?
Queensland Police work with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au) and Australian Cyber Security Centre (www.cyber.gov.au), who have also issued advice on COVID-19 scams.
If you have experienced a job ad or application process like this, report it to ScamWatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au).
If you have lost money, notify your bank immediately.
If you have lost money, given remote access to your device or given over your personal particulars, report the details to ReportCyber (www.cyber.gov.au/report).
If you are concerned you have had your identity compromised, contact IDCare who can provide advice on how to respond to identity theft (www.IDcare.org, ph. 1300 432 273)
Members of the public can learn about scams at www.scamwatch.gov.au or the Queensland Police Service’s R U in Control campaign at www.police.qld.gov.au/safety-and-preventing-crime/r-u-in-control
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
