Potential Employers Asking for Your SSN Via WhatsApp? Don’t Send It, It’s Just Another Scam

Are you looking for a job online and happen to be contacted by a recruiter or employer via WhatsApp asking for your Social Security Number? Don’t get overly excited about a new job, because it’s a scam!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently warned about how scammers are targeting job seekers with unsolicited messages on instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp. They promise remote jobs that pay up to $600 a day. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? That’s because it is!

How the Scam Works

The scam involves fraudsters sending targets legitimate-looking job offers on WhatsApp. The scammers may pose as recruiters for a well-known company or other organization you are not familiar with. The message may be well-crafted, complete with professional language, company logos, and links.

Once you engage with the scammers, they’ll ask for personal information, including your Social Security Number, saying they need it for background checks or to set up a direct deposit for your salary.

Although the request might seem normal in a legitimate hiring process, it’s a red flag when made via WhatsApp, especially at such an early stage of communication. Once a scammer has your SSN, they can commit identity theft, open credit accounts in your name, or file false tax returns.

Why Social Security Numbers Are a Target

Your Social Security Number is a valuable piece of personal information because It’s a key identifier used by banks, the government, and employers to verify your identity. This makes SSNs incredibly attractive to scammers -- they can use them to gain access to a wide range of services and commit fraud in your name.

Once your SSN is compromised, it can be used repeatedly for fraud, potentially causing long-term damage to your financial standing and even your reputation.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Be wary of unsolicited job offers: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate employers typically hire through official channels, such as company email addresses, and are unlikely to initiate contact via WhatsApp or other known messaging apps.
2. Verify the employer’s identity: Before providing any type of personal information, especially your SSN, verify that the person contacting you is indeed an official employee of the company they claim to represent. This can be done by calling the company directly using a phone number from their official website – check the contact details independently and don’t use contact details provided in the initial communication.
3. Never share your SSN early in the recruitment process: Requesting your SSN in the early stages of any recruitment process is a huge red flag. No legitimate employer will ask you to provide such sensitive info in the initial stages of communication. It’s typically required only after a job offer has been made and you’ve accepted or gone through additional formal procedures and interviews.
4. Look for red flags: Poor grammar, requests for immediate action, or asking for sensitive information upfront are all signs of a potential scam. Always trust your instincts; if something feels off, it’s most likely because it is.
5. Report suspicious activity: If you’ve been contacted by a potential scammer, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the platform used to make contact, such as WhatsApp. This helps prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
6. Use scam-detection services:  Check job offerings and messages with Scamio, our AI-powered scam detector. To check for a scam attempt, send Scamio any texts, messages, links, QR codes, or images. Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and your web browser. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the U.K.

What to Do If You’ve Shared Your SSN

If you’ve already provided your SSN to a scammer, act quickly to minimize the damage:

• Contact the Credit Bureaus: Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit with the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) to prevent the opening of new accounts in your name.
• Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit card statements, and credit reports for any signs of unauthorized activity.
• File a Report with the FTC: The FTC provides  guidance on what steps to take if your identity has been stolen.
• Place a Fraud Alert: This makes it much harder for fraudsters to open new accounts in your new. A Fraud Alert notifies creditors to contact you and verify your identity prior to extending your credit
• Consider Identity Theft Protection Services: Bitdefender offers an extensive Identity Theft Protection service that ensures your credit and identity are monitored 24/7. Alongside instant alerts whenever your personal info is at risk, you can benefit from complete identity theft restoration services guided by our US-based Certified Protection Experts and insurance of up to $2 million, available with our Premium plan.

Remember, always think twice before sharing your personal information online. Stay Safe!