Beware of Scams….Here is a new scam that y’all should be aware of utilizing LinkedIn.
In the ever-evolving landscape of online networking, vigilance is our best ally. I recently encountered a situation that serves as a stark reminder of the clever tactics used by scammers.
An individual, posing as a headhunter from a reputable firm (Korn Ferry, Los Angeles), reached out via LinkedIn DMs
On LinkedIn. At first glance, the account seemed legitimate, And I have always advised people to respond to recruiters. Even if you are not seeking a job, it’s good to know what opportunities exist and often you can refer someonel else in your network to the opportunity.
But after my DM reply I quickly realized this conversation was not seemingly what it appeared to be. A closer inspection revealed discrepancies that raised red flags. Despite a convincing profile, the person had only one linked in connection (um- what person at a recruiting firm has no connections?).
She also insisted on moving our conversation to WhatsApp or Telegram to speak to her boss about an opportunity claiming, “my boss doesn’t use email.” As someone with experience in the executive recruiting world, this struck me as highly unusual—email is a staple in the industry. There is not a real partner in a recruiting firm that refuses to use email.
I quickly just ignored the DMs and moved on with my day…. But am compelled to share this here… as I see many scams where they pose as non-profit leaders or other well known people in a community. Last year some bad guys tried to reach out to members in the Austin Technology Council pretending to be ME looking for money. While nobody fell for the inquiry (and several told me), we need to be reminded that social media DMs are not always whom they claim to be (email too- as some scammers create fake e-mail addresses one letter off from the real person and trick people).
Additionally, this incident with a fake recruiter from a real top level firm echoes warnings about strangers pushing to move conversations to platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. It’s a common tactic used by scammers to evade detection.
Since I did not engage onto WhatsApp, I’m not sure what information they would have tried to get from me….But some folks must get lured into conversation and give up something of value-or they wouldn’t be trying.
Here’s a reminder to all my connections: Always verify the authenticity of individuals who contact you with opportunities, especially those who urge you to communicate outside traditional professional platforms. And always reply to recruiters but do so with a critical eye.
Let’s stay alert and safeguard our professional integrity. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts and protect your career from those looking to exploit it.
Share this with others as we all need to beware of scams….and if we do not know, we can sucked in.