Protecting Yourself from Internet Scams
Helmets to Hardhats
Before the advent of the Internet, your name, address, phone number and other personal information did not go beyond your social circle. However, the Internet changed that reality - forever.
You need only to Google your name to find that your personal information is available to anyone with Internet access. This fact, combined with the increased sophistication of cyber-criminals, means that you should take precautions to protect yourself from Internet scams.
One commonly used scam, called phishing, gets an Internet user’s personal and financial information. Phishing sends you a counterfeit e-mail disguised as correspondence from a company or organization you know and trust. The e-mails will ask you to provide personal or financial information that can be used to access accounts or even steal your identity.
Helmets to Hardhats members and all Internet users should always be on the lookout for phishing e-mails that may appear to come from Helmets to Hardhats, or other organizations you trust.
Helmets to Hardhats will never request personal information via unsolicited e-mail. Additionally, Helmets to Hardhats will never ask you to download any software, tool or access agreement.
You should also be on alert for fraudulent e-mails that advertise positions managing financial transactions, or cashing checks. These e-mails attempt to engage job seekers in a money laundering or bad check scam.
If you ever receive a suspicious e-mail message that appears to be from Helmets to Hardhats, but you suspect that it is not legitimate, please take the following actions:
- DO NOT respond to the e-mail
- DO NOT click on any links within the e-mail
- Forward the e-mail in its entirety to: mayday@helmetstohardhats.org
- Delete the e-mail upon forwarding to Helmets to HardhatsPhishing and Internet fraud is an issue that can affect any Internet user or business. Helmets to Hardhats remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the information provided by job seekers.
Report Scams and Learn More
Here are five tips for you to safeguard your online information, provided by Monster.com:
- Learn more about how to keep yourself safe while searching for jobs.
- Learn more about scams from the US Secret Service Financial Crimes Division.
- Report a suspected money-laundering scam to the US Secret Service.
- Report a suspected reshipping scam to the US Postal Inspection Service.
- If it Looks Too Good To Be True, it probably is.
