The Job Scam Report Podcast

The Really Subtle and Simple Signs of Recruitment Fraud

If you’ve been reading about job scams in the news, on this platform, or in videos, the only conclusion we can all reach is the escalation and frequency of job scams continue to surge, as do other types of scams. The job numbers from any angle lack the comfort needed during these times. If unemployment, or underemployment, were a giant desert you had to walk through, your mind would create small ponds, but it's miles away. You think relief is ahead. The mirage disappears the closer you get.That's what fake jobs do. But, in reality, it’s not real. But presentation isn’t the problem. What your mind creates often is. This is why constant vigilance is a must. That’s why “Zero Trust” is what you must lead with when applying for jobs. There won’t be an easy way to spot and avoid bad actors. It’s counterintuitive to lead with skepticism when things get hard. In this episode, I focus on “recruiting love bombing” and provide reasons not to engage in recruiting communication when it leads with flattery and false promises. I recognize it’s music to our ears, especially when so many rarely get any feedback from interviews, family, or friends during a long job search. Enjoy the episode, and stay scam-free, y’all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe [https://markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Two Years Later, Job Scams Surge, And I'm Just Starting

This week marks two years since the launch of “The Job Scam Report.” The project began as a direct response to a persistent job-market problem. Over that time, I’ve created more than 150 pieces of content—articles, videos, and podcasts. I’m grateful that more than 3,000 subscribers have chosen to join me on this journey. Many of you found your way here through my work on “The Voice of Job Seekers.” The origins of this project began with my observations there, watching job seekers not just being misled. They were lured and trapped. Job seekers have long been considered prey for scammers wanting to steal personal information. In 2022, as I began to pay closer attention to job scams, I noticed their methods were shifting. The term at the time was “job fishing”—I described it as “…catfishing, but for jobs.” As I began sharing my findings on LinkedIn, Marie Zimenoff—host of the Voice of America radio show and podcast “The Career Confidante”—invited me to discuss the topic. Back then, I didn’t view it as a long-term problem, but more as a temporary disruption. I expected job scams would subside as the job market reset and job seekers improved their strategies. However, instead of fading, job scams evolved into a more sophisticated form of theft. Technologies like AI and video, while revolutionary, also enabled bad actors to scale their efforts. As technology has helped us become smarter and more productive, it has also given scammers new tools for deception. Technology quickly became a double-edged sword. As excitement surged around AI and video production tools, scammers exploited these advances. It began with fake recruiters and HR managers impersonating real professionals, and soon escalated to fabricating entire company experiences—both fake start-ups and large corporations. Bad actors scraped information from companies like Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Facebook, creating fake websites that closely resembled the originals, but with slightly altered URLs. And they didn’t have to create a site to lure victims. They also use real recruiters’ LinkedIn profiles to persuade victims to interview, then extract personal information via WhatsApp, Zoom, and other platforms. There are many layers to job scams—their evolution and current state are worth exploring. Since launching here on May 13, 2024, I’ve had countless rewarding interactions, and thousands (if not tens of thousands) have benefited from my educational efforts on job scams. I’m also fortunate to have dedicated partners who help spread this message, sharing my passion for the cause. Special thanks to my podcast co-hosts—Ashley Price-Horton, Jay Jones, and Russell Irby—whose professionalism and insights constantly challenge and inspire me. Their observations and advice are helping thousands, and together, we make a powerful team. Our collective efforts have also drawn attention from mainstream media. Outlets like The Washington Times, Yahoo Finance, AOL, Newsbreak, Moneywise, and others highlighted an episode last year. We also had the opportunity to present before the Intel Alumni Group. I’ve appeared on numerous national outlets warning about job scams—including Marketplace Tech by APM, NPR, Forbes, the Boston Herald, and others. Two years later, I remain as passionate and motivated as I was on May 13, 2024. This Thursday, I’ll be sharing the five most important shows. Today’s episode is a rebroadcast of my appearance on the Voice of America’s “Career Confidante” from June 27, 2022. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe [https://markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Job Scam Alert: Run Now if Employers Skip This

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is likely the primary tool in the scammer’s arsenal. Not because it is doing everything for scammers, but their scaling the use of AI is causing constant doubt and fear. Both are the kryptonite for most job seekers entering a bare-bones job market. Thanks for joining me for this short episode. In this episode, I continue to discuss briefly two articles: This article about Alaska [https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/anchorage/news/alaskans-report-record-breaking-financial-losses-from-cyber-enabled-crimes] came out after this episode was produced, but the report is recent. Rutgers article warns students to be hyper-aware [https://it.rutgers.edu/2026/03/23/stay-alert-protect-yourself-from-job-and-internship scams/] of job and internship scams. Michigan is also ringing the alarms on campus about awareness. I also dive into the vigilance about background checks. This article [https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/employer-background-checks-and-your-rights]discusses your rights and is a good way to educate yourself. My advice remains the same: clarify, verify, and don’t just apply. Stay safe and strategic out there. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe [https://markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

This is Why Job Scams Are Thriving in The Job Market Right Now

The job market is tough. In this episode, I break down why job scams are more dangerous than ever, what the latest data reveals, and how smart job seekers must protect themselves. What We Cover: * Why economic uncertainty and job seeker apprehension are ripe grounds for harvest in job scams * Scam evolution from obvious fake postings to convincing, process-driven fraud mimicking real hiring workflows * Why outdated red flags (bad spelling, free email accounts) are moot. They no longer work. * The structural warning signs you spot and avoid. * Key findings from a Norton survey of 1,000 U.S. adults: * 33% of Americans have encountered a job scam or suspicious posting * Gen Z is more than twice as likely as Baby Boomers to encounter scams (44% vs. 21%) * Nearly 1 in 4 people who encountered a scam fell for it * Average financial loss per victim: $8,900 * Most impersonated brands: Amazon (30%), remote work agencies (29%), UPS/USPS (17%), FedEx, and the U.S. government * Only 61% of adults can accurately detect a job scam * Why Gen Z is scammed more frequently.What it means for your network. Key Takeaway:Job searching is like breathing — if the air is bad, you adapt your strategy. You don’t stop breathing. Clarify. Verify. Don’t just apply. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe [https://markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

This is Why Your Skepticism is Your Security

You can’t trust what you can’t see. There’s truth and danger in that saying. Technology is a sophisticated conundrum, and job candidates may unknowingly interview with fake recruiters as AI avatars. Real companies use them, as do fake ones. The crew, Ashley, Jay, Russ, and I say you can’t trust everyone who is connected to hiring in any way, especially without researching them. Please listen to the end of the show when we discuss the groups most vulnerable to job scams. Here are a few of the highlights of our discussion: * Companies hiring fake employees, often actors from North Korea, who use these positions to gain long-term access to corporate and financial accounts before attacking. * We emphasize aggressive defense tactics: hanging up on suspected spam calls immediately to prevent voice cloning, and documenting job applications to help spot fraud and mysterious job offers. * With high concentrations of opportunities and a culture encourage information sharing, job seekers become prime targets. * Stolen data and money fund criminal organizations worldwide. We emphasize the importance of operating from a position of power rather than scarcity. * Special concern is raised for vulnerable populations: recent graduates unfamiliar with the job market, seasoned professionals laid off after 10+ years at one company, the elderly susceptible to scams, desperate job seekers who’ve exhausted unemployment benefits, and federal workers facing furloughs. * Military spouses seeking remote work are particularly at risk due to frequent relocations. * AI blurs the line between reality and deception. Successful job searching demands zero-trust verification tactics. Your skepticism isn’t paranoia—it’s your best security. The panel offers to provide educational sessions at colleges and military bases to help combat this growing threat. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe [https://markanthonydyson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]