Robocalls Spoofing Government Agencies – Some robocall scammers are now contacting federal employees pretending to be government agencies and making claims that employees must do x, y, and z in order to continue employment or receive benefits. If you aren’t expecting a call from an agency, your best bet is to hang up and call the agency back at its customer service number which is available on their website.
Avoiding Employment Scams – When applying for second jobs, be aware that some bogus employers offering “secret shopper” and other positions use your resume and application to gather your personal information and then use that against you. When applying for positions, don’t supply personal information over the phone and research all employers online using your local consumer protection agency, state attorney general, Glassdoor, and the Better Business Bureau. Employees must clear employment through TSAEthics@tsa.dhs.gov.
Phony Lenders – Preapproved loan emails or phone calls are often used to capture the victim’s banking information. Never give anyone who contacts you unsolicited your personal information and don’t open links or attachments on these types of emails. Go directly to the company’s website to find a contact number, email address, or chat function to confirm any such offer. Working with your current bank or credit card company to investigate loan options may be your safest bet.
